Maine Senate hopeful faces campaign turmoil with manager's exit

Hold onto your hats, folks—Graham Platner’s bid for the Maine Senate has hit a brick wall faster than a lobster boat in a nor’easter, as Washington Examiner reports.

The progressive candidate, an oyster farmer and Marine veteran, started strong with a working-class message but is now drowning in controversy and staff defections, most recently losing campaign manager Kevin Brown after less than a week on the job.

Platner burst onto the national scene with a gritty, outsider appeal that resonated with many tired of polished politicians. His campaign scored big endorsements early on, including from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. But even that kind of backing can’t shield a candidate from self-inflicted wounds.

Early Promise Meets Harsh Realities

Things looked rosy at first, with Platner’s down-to-earth story as a veteran and small-business owner drawing attention. A University of New Hampshire poll, conducted between Oct. 16 and Oct. 21, showed him leading Gov. Janet Mills by a whopping 34 points in the Democratic primary race to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in 2026.

Yet, as that poll was wrapping up, whispers of trouble emerged with old social media posts of Platner’s that raised eyebrows for their inflammatory tone. He’s since apologized for those Reddit rants, but the damage was already creeping in.

Then came the real gut punch—a tattoo with alleged ties to Nazism, which Platner has covered up and expressed regret over. A later poll by SoCal Strategies, taken between Oct. 21 and Oct. 25 after the tattoo story broke, showed his lead evaporating, with Mills now ahead by 5 points. Clearly, voters aren’t quick to forgive when optics go south.

Staff Shakeups Signal Deeper Issues

The controversies didn’t just hurt Platner’s numbers; they’ve gutted his team. Political director Genevieve McDonald jumped ship, and then came the swift exit of Kevin Brown, a longtime friend and seasoned operative who’d worked on campaigns for heavyweights like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former President Barack Obama.

Brown’s resignation after less than a week is a head-scratcher, though he cited personal reasons. “Graham is a dear friend. I started this campaign Tuesday but found out Friday we have a baby on the way,” Brown explained.

He added, “Graham deserves someone who is 100% in on his race, and we want to lean into this new experience as a family, so it was best we step back sooner than later so Graham can get the manager he deserves.” Fair enough, but stepping away so fast hardly screams confidence in the campaign’s stability. One wonders if family timing is the whole story or just a polite exit ramp from a sinking ship.

Campaign Tries to Regroup Amid Chaos

In response to the mounting scandals, Platner’s team tried to right the ship by hiring Brown in the first place, alongside bringing in a compliance firm for advice and even instituting retroactive nondisclosure agreements. If that sounds like damage control on steroids, it’s because it is. Locking down leaks won’t erase what’s already out there.

Meanwhile, endorsements are a mixed bag for Platner. Sen. Bernie Sanders doubled down, calling him an “excellent candidate,” but one has to question if that praise holds water when the progressive base starts squirming over past missteps. Sanders’ loyalty is admirable, but it might not sway voters who see red flags.

On the other side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is firmly in Gov. Janet Mills’ corner, signaling the Democratic establishment isn’t ready to roll the dice on a candidate with baggage. That split in party support could spell trouble for Platner as the primary tightens.

Voter Sentiment Shifts With Scandals

The SoCal Strategies poll didn’t just show Mills pulling ahead; it revealed a stark drop in Platner’s support once respondents learned about the tattoo controversy. In a state like Maine, where trust and authenticity matter, such revelations can be a death knell for a campaign built on an everyman image.

Platner’s initial 58% to Mills’ 24% lead in the UNH poll feels like ancient history now, especially since that data predates the worst of the tattoo fallout. It’s a classic case of a candidate peaking too soon, only to be dragged down by skeletons that should’ve been buried deeper.

At the end of the day, Platner’s story is a cautionary tale for any candidate thinking they can outrun their past in the age of digital footprints. While his apologies might soften some hearts, the revolving door of staff and shifting polls suggest he’s got a steep hill to climb against Mills. Maine voters, known for their no-nonsense streak, may not be in the mood for second chances when the stakes are this high.