By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and PATRICK WHITTLE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he is standing by Graham Platner in the wake of media reports that the Maine Senate candidate previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.
Platner, a Democrat, posted a video over the weekend taken by his wife, Amy Gertner, who reportedly told his campaign of the text messages last year. In the video, Gertner decried coverage of the issue as “gossip” and said “being married is hard.”
Sanders, a critical early backer of Platner, told The Associated Press on Monday that he still supports the oyster farmer and combat veteran, who hopes to unseat veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
“People can’t afford healthcare. Can’t afford groceries. Can’t afford to put gas in their cars. And I think it might be a good idea if we focused on the important issues facing the working families of Maine and this country,” Sanders said.
The senator added that he was scheduled to meet with Platner while he’s in Washington this week and feels the nation should “focus on issues more important than the Platner marriage.”
Platner is also expected to attend a fundraiser co-hosted by Ron Klain, the former chief of staff to President Joe Biden.
Platner is seeking the Democratic nomination for one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country as Democrats hope to defeat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins and regain control of the chamber. The Maine primary is June 9, and Platner’s primary rival for the nomination, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, already suspended her campaign in April.
Platner is scheduled to appear in Bar Harbor Friday evening with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna of California and a pair of Democratic Maine candidates. It’s billed as a “get out the vote” rally and it’s taking place at a historic theater in the coastal resort town.
Whittle reported from Portland, Maine.
Related Posts:
- Adam Sandler’s Look at His Wife’s Film Premiere Sparks Controversy Entertainment <p id="par-1_57">Adam Sandler recently stepped out to the premiere of his wife’s <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/jennifer-lopez-seen-filming-new-office-romance-rom-com-netflix.html/">film, <em>Office</em> <em>Romance</em></a>, wearing <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/timothee-chalamet-disconnected-kylie-jenner-knicks-celebration-desperate-interact-true-fans-instead.html/">a Knicks sweatshirt</a> and baggy pants. Sandler almost never dresses up these days, even wearing shorts and a sweatshirt to the Academy Awards. While he has become an unintentional style icon in…
- Lawsuit alleges 136 were sexually abused in San Bernardino County juvenile detention News More than 130 former detainees from San Bernardino County juvenile detention facilities have filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually abused while in custody as part of a systemic culture allowed to flourish for nearly 30 years. The lawsuit, filed May 15 in San Bernardino Superior Court, details dozens of…
- Mackenzie Shirilla: ‘The Crash’ Killer Busted Participating In Sexually … Entertainment Reading Time: 2 minutes Ever since Netflix’s The Crash made her infamous overnight, Mackenzie Shirilla has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. First, there were reports of Mackenzie’s texts to Dominic Russo ahead of the vehicular homicide that landed her behind bars. Then there was the news about…
- Katie Price superfan urges her to ‘run’ from Lee Andrews after truth over disappearance emerges Entertainment Carla spoke after Katie said her missing husband Lee Andrews had disappeared because he was holed up in a Dubai jail (Picture: Shutterstock) Controversial influencer Carla Bellucci has begged Katie Price to ‘run’ from husband Lee Andrews after the truth over his disappearance emerged. Carla, who shot to fame in…
- Man wanted over 3 killings apprehended after an intense search of Hawaii’s Big Island News By DAVE COLLINS, CLAUDIA LAUER and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER HONOLULU (AP) — A man wanted in connection with the killings of three men was apprehended Thursday after a massive search of Hawaii’s Big Island that had left residents on edge. Police said Jacob Baker, 36, of Pahoa, Hawaii, was arrested…
(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)