Social media erupted on Thursday night during a Maine Senate debate to determine who will replace former Democratic nominee Graham Platner after one of the candidates highlighted being a songwriter as a qualification for Senate."I ran for office several times, didn't win, but I did run and then, I'm a songwriter and then I write my own books," Senate candidate Ashley Webb said on the debate stage when asked, "What qualifications do you have to serve in the U.S.Senate?"Webb, who is transgender, continued, "I suppose my transparency, I wouldn't lie to people and I wouldn't deceive the people, like, we're being deceived right now, like we get lied to, smoke and mirrors, like what's going on with ICE."The moment went viral on social media, with many conservatives mocking Webb’s list of qualifications.MEET THE DEMOCRATS GUNNING TO REPLACE GRAHAM PLATNER IN A CRUCIAL SENATE SHOWDOWNU.S.
Senate candidate Ashley Webb takes part in a debate at the WCSH-6 television studio, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F.Bukaty)"Surely you can’t be serious… ," conservative commentator Dave Rubin posted on X."I think Susan Collins is going to win," Manhattan Institute Vice President of External Affairs Jesse Arm posted on X."You cannot and will not convince me that this is real," author and political commentator Bethany Mandel posted on X.MAINE DEMOCRATS RECYCLE PLATNER'S FAR-LEFT TALKING POINTS IN SCRAMBLE TO REPLACE DISGRACED EX-NOMINEEFrom left, U.S.
Senate candidates David Costello, Elizabeth Dickerson, Dan Kleban, and Ashley Webb prepare for a televised debate at the WCSH-6 studio, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F.Bukaty)"To be fair, that's more relevant experience than Platner," Washington Examiner senior writer David Harsanyi posted on X."Checking in on the Maine Democrat Senate debate to replace Graham Platner," GOP strategist Matt Whitlock posted on X." WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN MAINE???!!!" Citizens Allia...