Senate Democratic leadership is grudgingly sticking with Graham Platner, their presumptive nominee in Maine, after a whirlwind tour through Washington, D.C., meant to ease concerns over a new extramarital “sexting” scandal.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gave scant details about his Tuesday meeting with Platner, but he told reporters that he supported his candidacy the fifth time he was asked about the race and Platner’s political baggage.“As I said, I endorsed Graham Platner,” Schumer said at his weekly press conference. “We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the chairwoman of Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, similarly sidestepped questions after a meeting with Platner but told reporters she was “very optimistic” the party will defeat Collins, a five-term incumbent and the only Republican to hold statewide office in Maine.
Schumer only came around to Platner after his preferred candidate, Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), dropped out of the race in April. And their alliance is still tenuous. Platner is one of several Democrats who are calling for new leadership in Washington.
Schumer declined to say if he wished that Mills would resurrect her campaign, as she hinted she might on Monday after reports of Platner’s infidelity began to emerge. Platner is expected to become the party’s nominee in Maine’s June 9 primary, but Mills remains on the ballot.
