Democrats Should Abandon Platner to Preserve Electoral Prospects and Moral Standing
Source: David Frum. "Democrats Have to Choose Between Character and Power - The Atlantic." June 6, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
Democrats should kick out their Senate candidate in Maine, Graham Platner, because he's accused of violence against women. Even though they really need that seat to control the Senate, keeping him will hurt other Democratic candidates and turn off female voters.
Conclusion
Democrats should force Graham Platner to withdraw from the Maine Senate race despite the strategic importance of the seat
Premises
- Republicans successfully sacrificed the Alabama Senate seat in 2017 rather than support Roy Moore despite sexual misconduct allegations, demonstrating that parties can choose character over short-term power
- Defending Platner will force Democrats into damaging conversations about violence against women and misogyny during an election year
- The Maine seat is crucial for Democratic Senate control, but other high-profile races (Texas, North Carolina, Georgia) could be damaged by association with Platner
- A majority of the American electorate is female, and nearly half of American women have suffered intimate-partner violence, making Platner a liability with key voters
- Platner's credibility is already damaged and more allegations may emerge, creating ongoing political risk
Assumptions
- Voters will associate Democratic candidates in other states with Platner if he remains the nominee
- The allegations against Platner are credible and politically damaging
- Female voters will be significantly influenced by Platner's alleged misconduct
- Short-term electoral calculations should sometimes be sacrificed for long-term party reputation
- The Republican strategy with Roy Moore was politically successful and should be emulated