3 hours ago
AUGUSTA — The Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate heated up Tuesday with Gov. Janet Mills releasing an ad highlighting comments about women made years ago by her opponent Graham Platner.
The hard-hitting ad quoted Platner writing on social media that if women want to avoid rape they should make sure they don’t get so altered that “they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to” and that they should “act like an adult.” Both quotes contained expletives.
In response, Platner called a press conference.
“When I read through my old internet posts when they resurfaced six months ago, I was horrified,” he said. “I did not recognize in them myself or the man that I am today.”
He said 13 years ago he “posted awful things” as he struggled to find meaning in his life. Previously, Platner has said he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and depression after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I am sorry, but it does not reflect in any way who I am today or the beliefs I hold,” he said.
The Mills’ ad came just hours after the filing deadline for candidates to make the June 9 primary ballot. In addition to Mills and Platner, Brunswick resident David Costello, who spent decades working in government, qualified for the primary.
All will fight for the right to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
The seat is one of four that national Democrats hope to flip to gain control of the Senate. Mills, 78, is a former district attorney, attorney general and has served as governor since 2019.
Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign is running an ad highlighting social media posts disparaging women. (Spectrum News file photo)
Platner, 41, is a military veteran and oyster farmer from Sullivan. He has not held statewide office but launched an aggressive campaign last summer with the goal of defeating Collins.
“It takes political courage to come out against those in power and it is not lost on me what this means,” Platner said Tuesday. “Together, we are building a movement to defeat Susan Collins and win a better future for working Mainers.”
The Mills’ ad also showed an image of a tattoo Platner got while in the Marines that many have said is a Nazi symbol. He has since had it covered.
After releasing the ad, Mills touted endorsements from current and former women leaders and state lawmakers. Former Senate candidate Daira Smith-Rodriquez said in a statement that Mainers can’t risk sending Platner to the U.S. Senate.
“As a survivor of military sexual assault, I cannot, in good conscience, indicate support or remain silent if there is even a possibility that someone who questions the reality of this crisis could be elevated to the United States Senate,” she wrote.
Platner too highlighted several female supporters at the Augusta press conference, including current state lawmakers and local leaders.
Some commented that they expected attack ads from groups supporting Mills, but not the Mills campaign itself. Others criticized her for policy positions she’s taken over the last eight years as governor.
“At a time when our state and country are facing so much division and negativity, political attacks and smears are not what we need right now,” said Safiya Khalid, a former Lewiston city councilor.
