Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner escalated his ongoing dispute with Sen. John Fetterman during a town hall event in Portland, Maine, on Sunday, using a profanity to describe the Pennsylvania Democrat while discussing how he would approach relationships in Washington if elected, as reported by Fox News.

The exchange came just days before Maine Democrats head to the polls in a closely watched Senate primary that will determine who challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

During the town hall, Platner was asked by a supporter about lawmakers he hoped to work with if elected to the Senate. While discussing the importance of building relationships in Congress, Platner took aim at Fetterman, who has become one of his most vocal Democratic critics.

"The Senate really is a place of, it's a lot about relationships, and I-I don't want to go down there and simply be nonfunctional," Platner said.

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"I mean, as you can all probably tell, we got a lot of criticisms about the way this government functions. But in order for us to make it functional, we're going to have to do stuff. And you can't just go down there and be John Fetterman and just and just kind of just sort of be an a--hole."

Platner then added, "He’s said mean things about me, I'm allowed to say that."

The comments marked the latest development in a growing public feud between the two Democrats. In recent days, Fetterman has repeatedly criticized Platner over several controversies that have surrounded the Maine candidate's campaign.

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During an appearance with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Fetterman criticized Platner and referenced reports regarding an online Kik account linked to the candidate.

"This is a guy that had a problem with me, how I dress, but he seemed to have no problem posing in a towel at a disgusting website that consistently had serious problems about that kinds of depravity," Fetterman said.

The Pennsylvania senator also challenged Platner to release messages reportedly exchanged with women through the platform.

"Let me make a deal. I'll tell P-Hustle, I'll wear a suit every day, if he releases all those texts and messages that he's had... [with] the dozen women," Fetterman continued, referring to Platner's reported username.

Platner responded over the weekend in a post on X.

"John Fetterman seems to genuinely think that the reason no one likes him is because he refuses to wear a suit."

"It's not the hoodie, dude. It's because you've become a stooge for AIPAC and the Republican Party."

John Fetterman seems to genuinely think that the reason no one likes him is because he refuses to wear a suit.

It's not the hoodie, dude. It's because you've become a stooge for AIPAC and the Republican party. — Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) June 6, 2026

The dispute has unfolded as Platner's Senate campaign continues to face scrutiny over a series of controversies that have received national attention. Reports have focused on allegations involving sexually explicit messages sent during his marriage, an active Kik profile, past social media posts, and claims made by a former girlfriend regarding his behavior. Platner has denied allegations of abusive conduct and has described criticism of his campaign as politically motivated.

Despite the controversies, Platner focused much of Sunday's event on his campaign message, emphasizing economic issues and what he described as growing concentrations of power in American politics.

"We must understand that we have entered a new phase in the American political story," Platner told supporters.

"We have entered an era that I think looks a lot more like the 1880s or the 1930s or the 1960s than the last 40 years. We have entered an age of a politics of power, and we need to start acting like it."

Earlier in the event, Platner described himself as an unlikely candidate seeking higher office.

"I am very much just some random guy from Sullivan, Maine," he told the crowd before receiving a standing ovation after predicting that "we are going to beat Susan Collins" in November.

Platner enters Tuesday's Democratic primary as one of the leading candidates in the race. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and former senior government official David Costello are also on the ballot.

If he secures the nomination, Platner will face Collins in the general election this fall.

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