Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has emerged as one of the party's fastest-rising political figures, drawing national attention for his populist message and outsider image.But as his profile has grown, so has scrutiny of his past conduct, with controversies ranging from sexually explicit messages and offensive social media posts to a Nazi-linked tattoo and campaign staff upheaval.PLATNER CONTROVERSIES FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT LITTLE-KNOWN MAINE BALLOT REPLACEMENT PROVISIONIn continued clean-up of those scandals, Platner came to Washington, D.C.on Tuesday to huddle with party figures at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters just one week before his primary election.The Marine veteran and oyster farmer has defended himself against the criticism and retained the support of prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sens.
Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.Still, some have questioned whether the allegations could complicate Democrats' efforts to unseat Sen.
Susan Collins, R-Maine, in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races.Here's a look at the major controversies that have engulfed Platner's campaign.Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire, but it was his wife Amy Gertner coming out with a controversial five-minute social media post by the campaign to denounce the 'attacks' while she did not deny the allegations of infidelity in a new marriage.(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)The most recent controversy surrounding Platner stems from reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women during his marriage, an issue that campaign aides were reportedly aware of as his Senate bid was taking shape.The Wall Street Journal reported that Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, informed a campaign aide about the text exchanges shortly after he launched his Senate bid as staffers were assessing potential political liabilities.According to the report, Gertner discovere...