Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly defended Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner following reports that he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women during the early stages of his marriage.
The controversy emerged after reports from major U.S. media outlets revealed that Platner’s campaign had been aware of the messages since the launch of his Senate bid. According to the reports, the issue surfaced during discussions about potential opposition research and political vulnerabilities.
Despite the revelations, Sanders dismissed the controversy as a distraction from the pressing economic challenges facing American families.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Sanders argued that voters are more concerned about rising living costs, housing affordability, healthcare expenses, and economic inequality than a candidate’s personal marital issues.
“We’ve got a housing crisis. People can’t afford healthcare, groceries, or gas,” Sanders said, emphasizing that political discussions should remain focused on issues affecting working-class Americans.
Sanders, who has endorsed Platner in his campaign to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins, also expressed support for Platner’s marriage and noted that his wife continues to stand by him.
Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, addressed the controversy in a video released by the campaign. She acknowledged feeling angry about the reports but criticized what she described as the spread of gossip instead of discussion about policy issues and the future of Maine.
The campaign confirmed that Platner had sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women during the beginning of his marriage. Platner and Gertner married in 2023.
In a statement, Platner accepted responsibility for his actions, saying he and his wife had worked through the situation together and strengthened their relationship through counseling.
“Amy and I went through something hard because of me,” Platner said, adding that voters are more interested in healthcare, jobs, wages, and the future of their communities than personal controversies.
Several prominent Democratic lawmakers have also rallied behind Platner.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego said the candidate had been transparent with his wife and had demonstrated personal growth. Gallego argued that most voters are more concerned with inflation, housing costs, and economic security than private matters that have already been addressed within a marriage.
Similarly, New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich described the reports as a “tabloid story” that may generate attention in Washington but is unlikely to be a deciding factor for voters in Maine.
Heinrich suggested that Maine voters will ultimately judge the race based on which candidate they believe can best represent working families and address economic challenges.
The controversy arrives as Platner remains one of the leading Democratic contenders in the race for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat. Supporters argue that his policy positions and campaign platform should remain the primary focus, while critics maintain that personal conduct remains relevant when evaluating public officials.
As the campaign continues, the incident is expected to remain part of the political conversation, though Democratic allies are signaling that they intend to keep the spotlight on economic issues rather than personal controversies.