Democrats Are Already Scheming to Remove Platner From the Race

In this PJ Media article, Matt Margolis argues that establishment Democrats may already be preparing to force Graham Platner out of Maine’s U.S. Senate race despite his primary victory.

• Margolis says Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey went on CNN before the votes were fully counted and openly called for Platner to leave the race.
• Gottheimer cited a series of allegations against Platner, including abuse claims, controversy over a Nazi tattoo, alleged dishonesty about the tattoo, and extremist comments.
• The article notes that Gottheimer urged the Maine Democratic Party to intervene and find another candidate for the ballot.
• Margolis frames Gottheimer’s comments as unusually aggressive because they targeted a fellow Democrat who was on the verge of becoming the party’s Senate nominee.
• Other Democrats mentioned as distancing themselves from Platner include Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Sen. John Fetterman, and Rep. Madeleine Dean.
• Gottheimer also referenced reporting from Platner’s former political director, who allegedly accused Platner of lying about the tattoo controversy.
• When CNN’s John Berman asked what Democrats should do if the general election is Platner versus Sen. Susan Collins, Gottheimer refused the hypothetical and said he did not think Platner would remain on the ballot.
• Margolis interprets that confidence as a sign that Democratic insiders may be working behind the scenes to remove Platner from the race.
• The article concludes that Platner is unlikely to drop out voluntarily, which could set up an internal Democratic fight over whether the party establishment can replace him.

Read the full story:
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/06/10/democrats-are-already-scheming-to-remove-platner-from-the-race-n4953836