Graham Platner says his past is being 'weaponized'

Maine Senate Democratic candidate Graham Platner addressed his recent string of controversies on Friday night during a rally in Bar Harbor alongside progressive California Rep. Ro Khanna ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. (Source: CNN, WGME) (AP) — Graham Platner, the insurgent Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, defiantly declared Friday that voters would stand by him despite a steady drumbeat of reports about his history with women. Speaking to a crowd of hundreds in a costal resort town, with Tuesday's primary around the corner, the first-time candidate pitched himself as a man with an imperfect past who remains Democrats' best chance to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. “When politically motivated, serious and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” Platner said. “The state of Maine raised me. And the state of Maine saved me.” Last weekend, his campaign wrestled with stories about sexually explicit messages that Platner sent to several women while he was married. Then on Thursday, The New York Times reported about his relationships with previous girlfriends. Some viewed him positively but others described him as volatile and insulting. One woman said Platner twisted her arm during an argument and locked her in a room. Platner called that allegation untrue. READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/graham-platner-to-hold-maine-rally-with-rep-ro-khanna-as-scandals-shake-up-campaign/616-bad0d0cb-4313-4795-b001-bdfdadb19245 At 3News, we’re here to share the stories that matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/ Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app