Platner Faces Allegations, Maintains Support Ahead Of Primary

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PORTLAND, Maine — Graham Platner fielded questions at a town-hall style event Sunday as he sought to steady his Senate campaign two days before the state Democratic primary after The New York Times reported allegations from an ex‑girlfriend that he had grabbed her by the shoulders during arguments, twisted her arm and locked her in a room; Platner has called those allegations untrue. The Times also reported other ex‑girlfriends described mixed experiences and said earlier reports revealed he exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women while married. Attendees at the Portland event initially avoided the allegations and instead asked about the Supreme Court, committee priorities and a federal wealth tax. Platner, a combat veteran who has said he struggled with alcohol and post‑traumatic stress after military service and says he is a changed man, said he hopes to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee and on panels overseeing agriculture and health care, and mentioned an interest in working with Republican Sen. Rand Paul on foreign policy. Some supporters continued to back him and no major Democrats rescinded endorsements, but the new revelations have raised concern among others; figures such as Rahm Emanuel said the "jury is still out." He has apologized for past online posts and covered a skull tattoo that was recognized as a Nazi symbol.