politics

Graham Platner faces another controversy days ahead of Maine Senate primary

Updated on: June 5, 2026 / 10:33 PM EDT / CBS News

Graham Platner faces another controversy days ahead of Maine Senate primary

TL;DR

  • Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faces allegations of physically abusive behavior towards a former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield.
  • Platner denies some claims of abuse and states that allegations of his awareness of a Nazi symbol tattoo are false and politically motivated.
  • He also admitted to sending sexually explicit text messages early in his marriage, stating he and his wife have worked through it.
  • The allegations surface days before the Maine primary, in a closely watched Senate race that could impact party control.
  • Some fellow Democrats, including Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. John Fetterman, have expressed concern or skepticism, while others, like Rep. Ro Khanna, are supporting Platner's campaign.
  • Platner attributes the timing and nature of the allegations to political motivations from opponents.