Schumer Reaffirms Platner Endorsement as Some Democrats Voice Concerns

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reaffirmed his endorsement of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on June 2, telling reporters he had met with Platner and would work to defeat Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in November.

The comments were Schumer’s first on camera since reports surfaced over the weekend that Platner had sent sexually explicit messages to other women while newly married.

“As I said, I endorsed Graham Platner,” Schumer said on June 2. “We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.”

Schumer returned to that line repeatedly as reporters pressed him on Platner and on concerns about the candidate. Each time he was asked, he said Democrats would beat Collins and declined to address the questions directly.

Schumer had backed Maine Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary. Mills suspended active campaigning weeks ago, citing fundraising difficulties, though she remains on the June 9 primary ballot. Platner has since become the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Platner was in Washington on Tuesday to meet with Democratic senators and attend a fundraiser co-hosted by former Biden White House chief of staff Ron Klain.

In a YouTube video posted by Platner on Saturday, his wife, Amy, said it was “shameful that there’s a group of media outlets and people who are willing to spread gossip instead of talking about real issues” her husband is running on, such as health care, education, and child care. She said the couple married in 2023 and were working with marriage and personal counselors, and she urged Maine voters to focus on the campaign.

Platner had already faced scrutiny over past online posts that were allegedly dismissive of sexual assault and a chest tattoo recognized by many as a Nazi SS symbol. He has apologized for the posts and covered the tattoo.

The reports about Platner’s messages have divided Democrats days before the primary.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who endorsed Platner early on, told reporters on June 1 that he still supported him. “Of course, why would I not?” said Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said ahead of a meeting with Platner that she wanted to hear from him about the economy and what he tells voters in Maine.

Others were more cautious. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who planned to meet with Platner, said he did not believe Maine voters were focused on Platner’s marriage. Asked whether Platner still had a chance, Heinrich said, “We’ll have to see,” and “I suspect so.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said on Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that he had reservations about Platner. “Yeah, I have concerns,” Booker said. “That guy has questions to answer, and that’s what campaigns are for.”  

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) went further. He said he would not defend Platner over the latest reports, though he stopped short of calling on Platner to leave the race. “I’m not going to carry water for that guy,” Fetterman said. He added, “I mean, what’s next?”

Platner will face Collins in the general election if he wins the primary. Collins is seeking a sixth term.

Democrats see the seat as central to their effort to retake the Senate majority. Defeating Collins has long eluded Democrats. She won reelection in 2020 even as Democrat Joe Biden carried Maine over President Donald Trump by 9 percentage points.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.