Key facts
- Maine Democrats are uneasy about Senate nominee Graham Platner.
- Reports of Platner's past behavior include alleged sexual messages while married.
- Platner faces criticism from fellow Democrats and Republicans.
- Platner holds a significant lead in polls ahead of the Maine primary.
- Democrats are increasingly prioritizing electoral victory over candidate conduct.
- Senator John Fetterman criticized Platner, calling him 'not even a Democrat'.
- Platner has described himself as a communist.
- Platner will face incumbent Senator Susan Collins in November.
- The Wall Street Journal profiled independent activists supporting Platner.
- The article about activists was shared via Twitter.
Maine Democrats are experiencing unease regarding their presumptive Senate nominee, Graham Platner, as reports of his past behavior surface. These reports include allegations of exchanging sexual messages while married, leading to criticism from both fellow Democrats and Republicans. Despite these concerns, Platner holds a significant lead in polls leading up to the state's primary election. This situation reflects a broader shift within the Democratic party, where electoral victory is increasingly prioritized over traditional standards of candidate conduct, particularly in the era of Donald Trump. Some within the party argue that voters are more focused on candidates addressing their concerns than on personal behavior.