Dem Senator Distances Himself From Party ‘Rising Star’ Over Latest Scandal

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has expressed concerns about Maine Democratic Party Senate candidate Graham Platner following multiple reports of sexually explicit text messages exchanged with multiple women during his marriage.

The scandal centers on reports that Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and veteran, sent sexually explicit messages to several women after marrying Amy Gertner in late 2023. According to accounts in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Gertner discovered the messages on her husband’s phone in spring 2025.

She then informed a senior campaign aide — who has since resigned due to a number of sexually explicit and violent comments made by Platner on Reddit — shortly after Platner announced his Senate campaign in 2025.

The campaign later confirmed the exchanges in a statement to Politico. Messages reportedly involved the messaging app Kik and included explicit content.

This development adds to prior controversies surrounding Platner, including resurfaced Reddit posts with crude or controversial content and a tattoo he has since covered that resembled a Nazi symbol.

Platner has been billed as a “rising star” on the progressive left

During Sunday’s installment of ABC’s This Week, Senator Booker conceded that he has concerns about Platner’s candidacy following the emergence of the most recent scandal.

“Yeah, I have concerns. That guy has questions to answer and that’s what campaigns are for,” Booker said. He then pivoted to the broader importance of Senate control but stopped short of endorsing Platner or committing to campaign for him.

Many other Democrat leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), have largely deflected or declined to comment directly on the details of the scandal when approached by reporters in recent weeks amid ongoing controversies surrounding Platner.

Sen. Cory Booker: Graham Platner "Has Questions To Answer" But "It's Time We Take Back The Senate"https://t.co/b9kU5GzASH

"This man is dangerous," he said about "out of control" President Trump. "So much is riding on Democrats retaking control of the Senate." pic.twitter.com/9vpJkWYO6M

— RealClearPolitics (@RCPolitics) May 31, 2026

With Maine’s Democratic Party primary set for June 9, Platner remains the overwhelming favorite to secure the nomination. This has been the case for several weeks after Maine Governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign.

However, the scandal has affected perceptions of his general election prospects against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. On Polymarket, the Democrat’s chances fell from approximately 78 percent earlier this month to lower levels in subsequent days, with similar movements observed on Kalshi.

Public polls continue to show Platner with a lead, such as a 51%-42% advantage in a recent University of New Hampshire survey, but the controversies have introduced uncertainty into what has been viewed as a strong pickup opportunity for Democrats.

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