Dems urge a reluctant party to coalesce around Graham Platner
Senate Democrats want their party to offer the Ken Paxton treatment to Graham Platner after clinching Maine’s Democratic nomination for Senate.
TL;DR
- Senate Democrats are debating how to support Graham Platner, the party's nominee for Senate in Maine, who has a history of scandals.
- Some Democrats, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, believe the party should rally behind Platner to win the toss-up seat against Sen. Susan Collins.
- Others, such as Sens. Peter Welch and Elissa Slotkin, are hesitant, concerned about Platner's past transgressions and the potential for more damaging information to emerge.
- Sen. John Fetterman is a strong opponent of Platner, calling him a "disgrace" and stating he will not defend him.
- Platner won the primary with 72% of the vote and has characterized reporting on his scandals as attempts by the "political establishment" to distract voters.
- President Donald Trump has endorsed Sen. Susan Collins and heavily criticized Platner, calling him a "thug" and a "phony."