Democrats pick controversial Platner for key Senate seat; Trump ally Graham wins in South Carolina
Part of composite article Maine Senate Candidate Wins Primary, Then Gets Blasted By His Own Ex-Campaign Chief View full article →
Maine Democrats have chosen a candidate with a controversial past for a critical Senate race. Graham Platner won the party’s nomination Tuesday, despite facing allegations of sending explicit messages without consent to several women while married. He also has a reported old tattoo linked to Nazi imagery.
Platner now faces Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held the seat for three decades. Maine is a key battleground for control of the Senate. Democrats currently run the state government and both legislative chambers. The state has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992.
Platner has also faced accusations of violent behavior in a past relationship, which he denies.
In South Carolina, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham easily won his party’s nomination, seeking a fifth term. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Graham early in the race. Trump celebrated Graham’s “great victory tonight” on his social media platform.
Graham returned the praise in his victory speech. Looking directly at the camera, he told Trump, “I will be your strongest ally in the U.S. Senate.” He added that Trump is on track to become one of the “most consequential presidents in American history.”
In other races, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, backed by Trump, and state Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
In California, Republican Steve Hilton will face Democrat Xavier Becerra in the general election for governor. Hilton argues the state needs new leadership after years of Democratic control. Becerra is a former state attorney general and Biden’s health secretary.