In recent months, America’s political rumor mills have been grinding out whispers about Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for the Senate in Maine. Platner, the military veteran turned oyster catcher turned left-wing populist, has somehow survived the story about having a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest – although he says he was unaware of its meaning and has since had it covered up. And he is still on course to beat Susan Collins, the long-serving Republican, in November. His is thought to be the most obvious – yet vital – win for the Democrats as they seek to win back the Senate.
But Platner has a colorful past – to put it mildly. He underwent a dark phase following his time on combat duty with the US Marines, developed a drinking problem, and has a complicated romantic history that is still catching up with him.
Yesterday, the New York Times finally published its lengthy investigation into Platner’s ex-girlfriends. Three women told the newspaper that he could be “controlling, intimidating and disturbing.”
Lyndsey Fifield, who went out with Platner for two years, says that he was physically rough with her on occasion, had a disturbing habit of sharpening an ax in front of the television, and talked about killing people. He also referred to women as “hatchet wounds,” according to Fifield, and said he would rape any male intruder in his home – but not “in a gay way.”
