Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said Sunday he has “concerns” about Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner undermining Democrats’ chances to defeat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the midterm elections.
While speaking with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on “This Week,” Booker answered affirmatively when asked directly if he thinks Platner “may jeopardize Democratic hopes to get that Senate seat in Maine.” Platner’s campaign confirmed reports Saturday that his wife, Amy Gertner, had found “sexually explicit texts with several women” on his phone late last summer.
“Yeah, I have concerns,” Booker said. “That guy has questions to answer, and that’s what campaigns are for.”
Booker spent much of his answer warning about the dangers posed by President Donald Trump and rising living costs in New Jersey, saying “so much is riding on Democrats taking control of the Senate” to check what he called “an out-of-control president.”
The Saturday report about Platner’s extramarital relationships added to mounting scrutiny of the progressive Democrat, whose past social media activity and a tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol have also caused controversy. The Washington Examiner independently confirmed Saturday night that an account on Kik, a social messaging platform, belongs to Platner.
Sens. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) also commented on Platner’s most recent controversy on Sunday, though neither expressed overt concern like Booker.
Murphy said Platner has “made mistakes” but defended his character and claimed Collins is “protecting Donald Trump’s corruption.” Kim also largely dodged questions about Platner in an interview, saying he’s been focused on his home state and hasn’t met him, before adding that he “will work with whoever the people of Maine elect.” Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said last Monday that Platner’s tattoo is “personally disqualifying.”
Gertner said in a statement released Saturday night that she remains loyal to Platner and that the couple has been receiving marriage counseling. She also said she was “really angry” about the report surfacing, saying that people would rather talk about the report than the issues Platner is running on.
A Maine statute allows Platner to withdraw from the general election before July 13 and subsequently be replaced by the Democratic Party even if he wins the primary on June 9. This law provides Democrats with a theoretical path to nominate a different candidate. The party would have to nominate his replacement by July 27.
HOW DEMOCRATS COULD REPLACE PLATNER ON THE MAINE SENATE TICKET AFTER HE WINS THE PRIMARY
Booker is a potential 2028 presidential candidate who is up for reelection in November.
A University of New Hampshire poll released Thursday shows Platner with a 9 percentage-point lead over Collins. The race is seen as critical to Democrats’ chances to retake the upper chamber.