Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing a fresh round of allegations after several former girlfriends accused him of “toxic,” “unsettling” and “violent” behavior, days before Maine’s June 9 primary.
The new allegations were first reported Thursday by The New York Times. The article was based on interviews with more than two dozen people, including six women who dated Platner.
Some women offered positive accounts, describing Platner, 41, as caring and supportive. But three former partners recounted turbulent relationships with Platner, alleging he was demeaning toward women, drank heavily and was frequently unfaithful. In one instance, one woman recalled he also made physical threats.
Platner’s campaign told the Times he “strongly disputes” allegations that he physically intimidated or threatened anyone.
The latest accusations add to a series of controversies that have dogged Platner’s campaign. Last week, reports surfaced that he had sent sexually explicit text messages to multiple women during his marriage. His wife, Amy Gertner, publicly defended him and criticized the release of private communications. Platner responded to the initial reports in an earlier statement to CBS News, saying, “Amy and I went through something hard — because of me.”
The allegations have tested Democratic support for a candidate viewed as the party’s strongest challenger to incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
According to the Times, Platner’s former girlfriends described a pattern of “volatile” behavior, including derogatory comments about women and discussions of violence.
One woman alleged Platner made comments about rape during conversations about home intruders. The Times said that a campaign official did not dispute that comment. She also disputed Platner’s previous explanation of a tattoo resembling a Nazi “death’s head” symbol, and said he taught her the term years ago and referred to the tattoo as “my Totenkopf.” Platner previously said he got the tattoo while serving in the military and did not understand its historical significance at the time.
Platner’s campaign strongly denied he knew the tattoo’s meaning in response to that allegation, and last year, his campaign said he covered it up. Platner, who has been open about his struggles with PTSD following his military service, told MS NOW in a statement that he was “far from a perfect boyfriend” and frequently self-medicated with alcohol during a “very dark period” of his life.