MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Graham Platner is widely expected to win Tuesday's Democratic primary in Maine to take on Republican Senator Susan Collins in the fall. That is despite the fact that the gruff-talking oysterman and Marine Corps veteran has been dogged by controversies for more than six months. Maine Public's Kevin Miller has this story about why so many Democrats in Maine seem willing to look beyond Platner's rough past.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
GRAHAM PLATNER: And since the beginning, Maine, you had my back.
(CHEERING)
KEVIN MILLER, BYLINE: Graham Platner was in his comfort zone Friday in front of a crowd of supporters in Bar Harbor. But just hours before, he was in damage control mode following a New York Times story featuring several women describing their toxic and volatile relationships with the candidate. It was the second time in less than a week that fresh and raw details from Platner's troubled past seemed to threaten his campaign to defeat Collins, whose seat is likely key to Democrats winning back the Senate.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PLATNER: Now, as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated and weaponized...
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Whoo.
(LAUGHTER)
PLATNER: ...You have my back.
(CHEERING)
MILLER: Platner thanked the crowd for sticking with him after his past, quote, "hurtful comments" began surfacing, and as he shared his struggles with PTSD, stemming from his four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A complete unknown just 10 months ago, Platner appears poised to easily win Tuesday's Democratic primary as he pledges to fight back against politics as usual. He's leading Collins in general election polls, but after repeated controversies, Platner now supplements his populist message with talk about redemption and turning one's life around.
GLENON FRIEDMANN: The scandals of policy in our country are much bigger than the personal problems that he and his family are working out.
MILLER: Standing outside the Bar Harbor theater, 66-year-old Glenon Friedmann is a Democratic voter. She says the real scandals are the large numbers of food insecure children and Maine families struggling to get by. Likewise, Barbara Reeve says she appreciates Platner's openness about his past struggles.
BARBARA REEVE: Yes, of course, the actions are despicable that he's admitted to. But we all make our mistakes, and those of us who are mature learn from them. And that's what I believe Graham has done.
MILLER: While many Maine Democrats seem willing to forgive and forget, not all of them can see beyond Platner's past. Some Democrats still plan to vote for Governor Janet Mills, even though she suspended her campaign in late April, while others are gravitating towards a third candidate, David Costello. But Platner has proven remarkably resilient. Debbie Brinkworth says she's, quote, "absolutely fine" with Platner and that his past troubles were, quote, "juvenile."
DEBBIE BRINKWORTH: But I am a teacher, and frankly, I have had equal to or worse and watched them grow up and given them the grace to grow up and become wonderful people. And I don't approve of some of what he's done, but he has my vote.
MILLER: Eighty-two-year-old Ray Hearne says Platner has done some regrettable things, but that was in his private life. And Hearne says she appreciates Platner's focus on helping working people and on Medicare for all.
RAY HEARNE: These very progressive views, to me, are far more important than his past difficulties or indiscretions. And there are far worse ones going on in Washington. We read about them all the time.
MILLER: Should he win Tuesday, Maine voters will likely hear even more about Platner's indiscretions from Republicans, as the fight for control of the Senate plays out in Maine. For NPR News, I'm Kevin Miller in Bar Harbor. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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