Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, disclosed to campaign aides in August that Platner had sent sexually explicit texts to multiple women early in their marriage, according to multiple reports.. The admission came as aides conducted internal opposition research ahead of a planned rally with Senator Bernie Sanders, the reports say. gertner later defended her husband, calling the media coverage 'gossip' and urging focus on policy issues like healthcare and education.

The Kik profile and the towel selfie: What aides found

According to the outlet, Platner maintains an active account on the private messaging app Kik under the user ID phustle0331, with a profile picture described as a 'mirror selfie of him shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist.' The report says Gertner told an aide that she had discovered the sexually explicit messages 'early in their marriage in the spring of 2025'—a timeline that conflicts with the couple's 2023 wedding date, raising questions about the accuracy of the disclosure.

The campaign confirmed that Platner had been exchanging messages with women, though the number remains disputed. The report notes that aides ultimately decided the texts were a private matter being handled through marriage counseling.

A dozen or six? The dispute over the number of women

The source reports a discrepancy between what Gertner told the aide and what a current campaign worker later claimed . Gertner stated that her husband had been 'exchanging sexual messages with as many as a dozen women,' while a current campaign worker told the outlet that the number was closer to 'up to six women.' This internal inconsistency suggests that even within the campaign, details of the scandal remain unclear.

Gertner herself acknowledged the couple's struggles, stating, 'No marriage is perfect. I don't want a perfect marriage. I want my marriage.' She added that they went to counseling and came through the ordeal with a stronger bond.

The Bernie Sanders rally timing and the internal probe

The reports say that Gertner's admission came as aides were conducting opposition research on their own candidate—a highly unusual step that occurred as 'the campaign had been preparing for a major rally' with Senator Bernie Sanders... The timing suggests that internal vetting may have been triggered by concerns about potential leaks or external scrutiny. a campaign official explained that the aides considered the texts a private matter, but the decision to research their own candidate indicates deep unease within the organization.

The rally with Sanders, a progressive heavyweight, would have been a major boost for Platner's Senate bid. The revelation of the sexting scandal could undermine that momentum, especially if voters question Platner's judgment or the campaign's handling of the issue.

What remains unknown: the campaign's vetting and voter reaction

Several open questions persist. first, why did campaign aides feel compelled to conduct opposition research on their own candidate if the issue was already known to them? Second , what vetting—if any—did Platner undergo before entering the race? The reports do not indicate whether Platner himself has publicly commented on the texts or his Kik account. Third, how will Maine voters respond to a scandal that mixes personal infidelity with the use of a private messaging app? The campaign's decision to frame the issue as a private matter may not insulate Platner from criticism, especially in a high-stakes Senate race.

As the reports note, Gertner expressed anger at media outlets for spreading 'gossip' instead of focusing on Platner's policy platform. But in the age of digital footprints, a candidate's online behavior—especially on apps like Kik—can become a central campaign issue.