Democrats’ New Golden Boy Is Already Imploding

Democrats thought they found their next political golden boy in Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, but they realize his campaign follows the same pattern as disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell—with an even worse résumé.

Mehek Cooke, a national security and political analyst with The Daily Signal, joined Harris Faulkner on Fox News’ “The Faulkner Focus” to argue that Republicans should stop trying to rescue Democrats from Platner, whose controversies could become a political gift to the GOP.

“As Republicans look at this, they want to let Graham Platner cook,” Cooke said. “Graham Platner has an immediate strategy. He could exit and allow Janet Mills to run, but Democrats aren’t abandoning him.”

Platner is riddled with controversy including a tattoo of a Nazi symbol he got in 2007, and resurfaced Reddit posts containing vulgar and inflammatory comments about race, sexuality, and military sexual assault. He faced backlash over a deleted Reddit post mocking Purple Heart recipient who was shot four times during a firefight with the Taliban after drawing fire away from members of his unit. And most recently he was exposed for exchanging sexually explicit messages with multiple women while married.

With Maine’s Democratic Senate primary set for June 9, Cooke said Democrats still have an opportunity to change course, but the party appears determined to double down on Platner as it prepares for a pivotal Senate race.

Cooke also criticized Platner over reports that a profile linked to him remained active on Kik, an anonymous messaging app that one serial offender has said is a “predator’s paradise” for child exploitation.

Cooke said voters should pay attention not only to Platner’s record but also to the party leaders who continue to stand behind him as additional stories emerge before voters cast their ballots.

“It will continue to implode,” Cooke said. “There are more stories that will come out, Harris.”

Cooke said Republicans should allow Democrats to own the consequences of that decision rather than interrupt the implosion.

“Democrats are continuing to double down on a candidate that is so far gone,” she said. “This actually shows the arrogance of the party, the fact that they won’t take the exit ramp, that Bernie Sanders is continuing to back Graham Platner.”

Cooke compared Platner’s growing political baggage to the controversies surrounding former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, arguing that Democrats are repeating the same mistake with an even weaker candidate.

“This is Eric Swalwell but worse,” Cooke said. “Democrats continue to try to find their next golden boy. Graham Platner is not it. You have the same pattern with a worse resume.”