What is going on in Maine? We thought we'd seen the end of Graham Platner's political aspirations after he dropped out of the U.S. Senate race following accusations of domestic abuse and rape from two different women he'd once dated. Keep in mind that Platner didn't drop out because of those accusations but because Democrats realized he'd probably lose to Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
We know this because the myriad other problems with Platner — the Nazi tattoo, the lying about his oyster farm, his problematic social media posts — didn't seem to matter to Democrats, either. They even stood by him when Lyndsey Fifield shared how Platner abused her when they dated many years ago, dismissing Fifield, a conservative, as a Republican operative trying to interfere with the election.
Now the Bangor Daily News is telling Maine voters to write in Graham Platner for the Senate race to "give abandoned voters a voice in November."
Opinion writer for the Bangor Daily News advocates writing-in Graham Platner’s name for the US Senate race in Maine
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) August 23, 2026
“Write in Graham Platner to give abandoned voters a voice in November”https://t.co/Bs4hG92v1u
While that op-ed is behind a paywall, its writer — Scott Niemi — wrote another similar piece for the Portland Press Herald. Here's what it said:
The column took aim at Graham Platner and the people organizing to write him in, calling us a “mysterious group” and “devoted minions.” Collins argues that Graham — an oyster farmer, combat veteran and former harbormaster — is being “selfish” for not staying home and keeping quiet, even going so far as to call him speaking about union history at a Labor Day event a “grotesque disservice.”
This viewpoint completely misses what happened on the ground and why this write-in effort exists in the first place. When unproven allegations of sexual assault surfaced against Graham, it was shocking to watch the media, party officials and big donors instantaneously and seamlessly cancel the candidacy of the person Mainers had overwhelmingly chosen to win the primary election. Over 70% of primary voters chose Graham at the ballot box and their votes were tossed in the trash.
Calling Graham “selfish” for refusing to vanish turns reality upside down. Standing back up after a hit like that isn’t selfishness — it shows he’s a fighter who won’t just roll over when party bosses tell him to disappear.
After the fallout, people were angry and upset. Online Platner supporter groups fell into chaos, banning people who disagreed, and voters across the state stated they were leaving the Democratic Party and/or sitting out of the November election. Others have posted online that they plan to write in Graham whether his name is on the ballot or not.
Niemi is from Lewiston and is the co-founder of the WriteInGrahamForME campaign.
Some Maine Dems still prefer a rapey Nazi to a dimwit career politician who married his cousin.
— Better Maine (@MaineLogic) August 24, 2026
The choices in Maine leave a lot to be desired if you're a Democrat.
“Write in Graham Platner to give abandoned voters a voice in November” https://t.co/d0ZvuUdpuF pic.twitter.com/cqri16EqQB
— Professional Zoomer 🌹 (@Zoomer_Doomer_) August 23, 2026
Exactly this.
I supported him until the end. There's an argument to be made that it was too long. Either way he's not the candidate. Jackson is and he supports the same stuff platner does but with the added perk of having a chance to win. Platner won't win but if you do this Collins will.
— Wax Mibby 🦞 (@MaxWibby) August 24, 2026
That's not a ringing endorsement of Jackson.
This only benefits Collins by splitting the Democrat vote between Platner and Jackson, and we're fine with that.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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