Topline<\/p>\n
Graham Platner, Maine\u2019s presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate, faced a new set of allegations Thursday reported by The New York Times<\/a>, which interviewed multiple women who accused Platner of disturbing behavior and creating \u201ctoxic\u201d relationships\u2014a report that comes just days after he and his wife dismissed reports he sexted other women while married.<\/p>\n Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate race in Maine (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images).<\/p>\n Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n Some of the women interviewed by the Times described Platner as fun, caring and safe to be around, though others detailed \u201ctoxic\u201d relationships they had with him.<\/p>\n Lyndsey Fifield, 40, who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015, told the Times that Platner was \u201ccavalierly contemptuous of women\u2019s emotions, of our \u2018weakness.\u2019\u201dgram<\/p>\n Fifield also accused Platner of being rough with her while he drank, clarifying to the Times she was never struck by him but was regularly grabbed by the shoulders.<\/p>\n Jenny Racicot, 41, who dated Platner between 2019 and 2021, referenced controversial online posts he made in the past about sexual assault and rural white Americans, saying she \u201crecognized a version of him that I had experiences with.\u201d<\/p>\n Forbes has reached out to Platner\u2019s campaign, which told the Times he \u201cstrongly disputes\u201d claims of physical intimidation or altercations\u2014though it did not dispute the claims around his remarks.<\/p>\n The Times noted it could not independently corroborate Fifield\u2019s claims regarding physical contact.<\/p>\n Crucial Quote<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s be very clear: This is a lifelong G.O.P. operative who\u2019s dedicated her career to electing Republicans.\u201d Platner\u2019s campaign told the Times about Fifield, who has worked for Republican campaigns in Virginia.<\/p>\n Tangent<\/p>\n Platner\u2019s odds of winning one of Maine\u2019s Senate race have plummeted this week on Kalshi<\/a>. The GOP nominee (expected to be longtime Sen. Susan Collins) is now the 52% favorite, a dramatic change from the 72.7% odds Democrats held on May 22. <\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n The Times report is the latest controversy surrounding Platner, who this weekend brushed off reports of allegedly sexting women while married. He and his wife, Amy Gertner, who married Platner in 2023, called the reports \u201cgossip,\u201d with Platner saying he and his wife have a \u201cvery loving and very happy marriage\u201d before accusing the media of trying to \u201crip that apart.\u201d Progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., have supported Platner<\/a> despite the controversy, with Gallego saying, \u201che\u2019s willing to accept that he has grown as a person, and I think we should accept that.\u201d Platner has apologized for his past controversial online posts, which reportedly<\/a> encouraged people to not take substances to avoid being raped. Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, has also blamed his online activity on the “disillusionment\u201d he felt after returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The candidate also notably covered up a tattoo he received while in the military, after claiming he did not know its connection to Nazism and alleging he got it while drunk.<\/p>\n WHAT TO WATCH FOR<\/p>\n Maine\u2019s primaries are June 9.<\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n