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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ariana Baio

Senate candidate reportedly exchanged sexually explicit texts with women

  • Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, reportedly disclosed to his campaign that he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women early in their marriage.
  • The revelation, made to a campaign staffer in spring 2025, was reported by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times , becoming the latest in a series of controversies for Platner.
  • Gertner stated she was “deeply hurt” by the “invasion of our privacy” but affirmed that she and Platner had overcome the issue through counseling, making their marriage “stronger than ever before.”
  • The Wall Street Journal also alleged Platner still has an active account on Kik, a messaging app known for explicit content, though his campaign claimed he had deleted the app but not deactivated the account.
  • Platner has previously faced criticism for old social media posts insulting police and making offensive remarks, and for a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, which he covered up, attributing past comments to his struggles with PTSD

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