by Lauren McCauley, Maine Morning Star
Prominent progressive U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts endorsed Graham Platner for U.S. Senate, throwing her weight behind the political newcomer after a new political ad resurfaced his controversial past comments about women and sexual assault.
In a video posted to social media, Warren described Platner as “the real deal” and a fighter who’s “ready to take that fight to Washington.”
“Look, people are hurting and people are ready to vote for someone who will actually fight for them, not just nibble around the edges, not just wimp out at holding the rich and powerful accountable,” Warren said. “And people in Maine are fired up and excited for change… that’s the fighting spirit that the Democratic Party needs now more than ever.”
Throughout his campaign, Platner has painted himself as a party outsider, contrasting himself to Janet Mills, the governor and his main Democratic primary rival who previously served two terms as the state’s attorney general and is backed by the Democratic establishment in Washington, D.C.
Mills and her supporters have been arguing that the political newcomer would not be able to win in a general election match-up against Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. His 2013 Reddit posts downplaying the severity of sexual assault were in the spotlight again this week after Mills launched her first negative ad, which featured Democratic women voters reacting to the statements.
The Mills campaign held a virtual press conference with a half dozen female elected officials and community leaders expressing support for the two-term governor. They said that Platner’s controversial record of online posting was disqualifying and argued that his lack of political experience was troubling.
Since the launch of Mills’ ad, the two campaigns have had several events and statements emphasizing the candidates’ records on issues pertaining to women, a key demographic to win over in both the Democratic primary and November general election. Mills and Platner have agreed to three televised town hall style primary debates and two forums organized by the Maine Democratic Party in the lead up to the June 9 primary, during which they will also compete against Old Town native David Costello.
Warren is the fourth U.S. senator to endorse Platner, joining Sens. Martin Heinrich, Ruben Gallego, and Bernie Sanders.
Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maine Morning Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lauren McCauley for questions: info@mainemorningstar.com.
