Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner addresses new allegations of toxic behavior, receives support from hundreds of supporters
Key facts
- •Graham Platner addressed new allegations of toxic behavior at a campaign event in Bar Harbor, Maine
- •Hundreds of supporters gave Platner standing ovations despite the controversy
- •Platner referenced a New York Times article detailing allegations from his former girlfriends
- •One of the women, Lyndsey Fifield, alleged Platner was physically aggressive during their relationship
- •Platner suggested some allegations were 'politically motivated' and 'false'
- •Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, received a standing ovation from the crowd
Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, returned to the campaign trail on Friday, addressing new allegations of 'toxic' and 'unsettling' behavior from three women. Platner spoke to hundreds of supporters in Bar Harbor, Maine, who gave him several standing ovations despite the controversy.
Platner's Remarks
Platner spoke about Maine as a state that has given him personal strength to build himself back from difficult times. He referenced a New York Times article detailing allegations from his former girlfriends, stating that as his past is 'dug up, litigated and weaponized,' the people of Maine have his back. Platner also mentioned his journey overcoming PTSD after his military tours, saying 'the state of Maine raised me and the state of Maine saved me.'
Allegations and Response
Three women, including Lyndsey Fifield, described negative experiences with Platner. Fifield alleged that Platner once 'twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door closed' during their relationship from 2013 to 2015. Platner seemed to reference Fifield's conservative background when he suggested some allegations were 'politically motivated' and 'false.'
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics, NBC Politics.
