Platner and other progressives present united front at rally amid latest controversies

The campaign for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner raised more money on Friday than any day since Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign, a day after accusations of toxic behavior were reported by some of his exes. 

The campaign shared the figures while Platner and other progressives, including U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, rallied in Bar Harbor ahead of the primary on Tuesday. 

By 7 p.m., the campaign reported raising $200,000 from more than 5,000 donors. The average contribution was $40, according to the campaign. 

This comes after The New York Times reported accusations Thursday from some of Platner’s exes recounting “unsettling” behavior, including Lyndsey Fifield, who has worked for GOP campaigns and causes, who claimed he bragged about having a Nazi tattoo and grabbed her by the shoulders. Platner has denied any physical abuse or knowing the Nazi connection to his now-covered tattoo but admitted to being a bad boyfriend and using alcohol to self-medicate in the past. 

“Since the beginning, Maine, you’ve had my back,” Platner said during the rally. “When politically-motivated, serious and false allegations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” he said. “The state of Maine raised me and the state of Maine saved me. I will always have your back.”

The litmus test that Democrats, and independents, are faced with in Platner’s Senate bid

Platner approached the podium teary eyed after hugging his mom, first addressing the latest controversies and then delivering his stump speech that Mainers have become well acquainted with since he launched his campaign in August. Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, also received a standing ovation. 

Khanna defended Platner Friday night. Describing the division in the United States, Khanna said for the country to heal, Americans need to allow for grace and redemption. 

“If Graham Platner and all of you find a way to build that redemption through this campaign, through this transformation, maybe, maybe, you would show a way for this country to start to redeem itself,” Khanna said. 

Khanna also said the Democratic Party — from U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont — is united to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

The get-out-to-vote rally also featured Democratic candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District Matt Dunlap and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.

Platner said his campaign plans to knock 20,000 doors this weekend, urging attendees to join the campaign’s currently 15,000 volunteers. 

“In Maine, we can do it, all of us together,” he said, “because we have built the most powerful movement our state has ever seen.”