Rep. Veronica Escobar said Sunday that the prospect of Sen. Susan Collins winning reelection concerns her more than the controversies surrounding Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, as reported by Fox News.
Escobar made the remarks during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” where panelists discussed recent allegations reported by The New York Times involving Platner.
According to the report, former girlfriends accused Platner of troubling behavior, including allegations involving violent episodes and heavy drinking.

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Platner has denied allegations made against him and has described claims in previous reports as untrue.
During the CNN discussion, Escobar acknowledged concerns about the allegations but quickly shifted attention to Collins and the upcoming Maine Senate race.
“Of course it concerns me,” Escobar said.
“But I will also say what concerns me, even at an even greater level, is Susan Collins getting reelected. She has given cover and comfort to the most corrupt, incompetent president we've ever had. And, hopefully, the people of Maine will take away the seat from her, whoever the nominee is.”
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Escobar also used the discussion to criticize Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
“And if folks are concerned about Mr. Platner, wait until they hear about the Senate candidate in my state, Ken Paxton. He is someone who I hope gets as much coverage as the Maine candidate is getting, because what we know in Texas about Ken Paxton is pretty horrifying, even people within his own party,” Escobar said.
Fox News Digital reported that it contacted the offices of both Collins and Paxton seeking comment.
The controversy surrounding Platner has continued to grow in recent weeks.
In addition to the allegations discussed during the CNN segment, the candidate has faced scrutiny over a tattoo that critics have compared to a Nazi symbol, controversial Reddit posts criticizing soldiers, and reports regarding explicit messages allegedly sent to women while he was married.
Despite the mounting controversies, several Democrats have continued supporting Platner as he moves toward becoming the party’s likely nominee in Maine’s Senate race.
One of the most prominent Democratic voices backing Platner has been Rep. Ro Khanna of California.
Khanna argued that Platner changed after returning to Maine and working as an oyster farmer.
“[H]e really grew as a person when he came back to Maine, and he was an oyster farmer,” Khanna said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“And he found peace, and he is ashamed of that period. To me, that suggests someone taking accountability and improving their lives, and we need that redemption in this country.”
Khanna also expressed support for Platner’s economic platform.
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“And I agree with a lot of his economic policies, that we should be taxing the billionaires, we should be focusing on the working class,” he added.
The Maine Senate race has attracted increasing national attention as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of a key Senate seat.
While Platner continues to face questions about his past conduct and personal controversies, several Democratic leaders have signaled they remain focused on defeating Collins in November.
As the primary season continues, the race is expected to remain under intense scrutiny from both parties and national political observers.
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