Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha slammed Democrats for turning a blind eye to serious concerns about Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
“Every Democrat that went on national television and praised Graham Platner, knowing what they knew about him, that was all out there in writing and public in statements,” Concha said on Fox News’s Fox & Friends First Tuesday. “Democrats have lost whatever perception they thought they had of a high moral ground.”
Concha listed out the number of serious accusations that came out about Platner, including a Nazi tattoo he got during his military service, sexual assault allegations brought forward by past girlfriends, and concerning comments he made on deleted Reddit posts.
In those deleted posts, Platner said the stereotype that black people don’t tip is “solid,” and confirmed that white people in rural America are racist and stupid, according to a list compiled by Fox News.
Platner was put under the spotlight yet again after a Politico report published Monday revealed that another ex-girlfriend came forward to claim that Platner sexually assaulted her while severely intoxicated.
Then on Tuesday, ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield came forward with new allegations that Platner would remove condoms without her consent.
Fifield was also cited in an earlier report from the New York Times, which detailed other sexual assault allegations, and also highlighted that Platner knew about the meaning of his Nazi tattoo before it was covered up.
After Monday’s report, Platner posted a campaign video on X, saying he would take time to “reflect” on his campaign’s “best path forward.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said “it’s time for him to drop out of the race.”
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“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat [incumbent Republican Sen.] Susan Collins,” Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the top Senate Democrat, said in a joint statement.
Concha criticized Democrats for seemingly ignoring the allegations of sexual abuse.
“It was never about rape victims, whether we’re talking about Epstein or Platner, it’s all about obtaining power again,” Concha said.
Concha said Democrats are panicked as the deadline for Platner to withdraw inches closer. Under Maine law, Platner has until July 13.
“They’re either stuck with Platner, or replacing him with a candidate that party leaders decide, and not the public through actual voting. I mean, it’s just so Soviet, isn’t it?” Concha said.
Concha said Democrats did the same thing with former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) when multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. He then withdrew from the California governor’s race and resigned from Congress.
“We’ve seen this movie before,” Concha said. “Most famously, we saw it in 2024. Joe Biden’s brain turned to anchovies on that debate stage against President Trump in June. A few weeks later, he was replaced, without one vote from the public, by Kamala Harris. This is a losing strategy.”
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Concha said Democrats are willing to look past serious claims, as they did with Platner, to secure a Senate seat.
“Democrats, again, they keep doing this, and they don’t care what the public thinks in these situations,” Concha said. “Just get the seat, and get out.”