Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Shrugs Off Platner's Problems; 1st District Candidate Stefany Shaheen Stays Silent

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

A shocking New York Times story laying out Maine Democrat Graham Platner’s problematic behavior wasn’t enough to shake the Shaheens into criticizing the Nazi-tattooed likely U.S. Senate nominee.

In the new report, several former girlfriends described Platner’s behavior as emotionally volatile and physically intimidating. The report details allegations from women who dated Platner between 2013 and 2021, claiming he exhibited aggressive behavior, including twisting one woman’s arm behind her back and locking her in a room. He also allegedly referred to his infamous tattoo as “my Totenkopf,” despite his current denials that he knew it was a symbol of the Nazi SS.

Platner has denied allegations of physical abuse, calling them untrue and politically motivated. He has attributed some past behavior to struggles with PTSD, depression and alcohol abuse after his military service, while saying he is not leaving the race.

After the new story broke, retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told NBC News that while the allegations are “serious,” she declined to say whether he was a fit candidate to serve in the U.S. Senate.

“It’s up to the voters in Maine to decide,” Shaheen said.

Days earlier, her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, fled a GOP campaign tracker asking if she supported Platner in his race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins rather than answer the question. The younger Shaheen was aided by a doughnut-waving staffer who tried to use a breakfast pastry to block the camera.

Stefany Shaheen has declined to respond to repeated requests for comment from NHJournal regarding her fellow Democrat in Maine.

While Platner is running in Maine, the controversy has spilled into New Hampshire politics because the Granite State’s top Democrats are seeking higher office in the same 2026 cycle. Pappas is running to replace Jeanne Shaheen in the U.S. Senate, and Stefany Shaheen is seeking the Democratic nomination in NH-01, making their silence on a neighboring Democratic Senate candidate politically notable.

The New York Times story recounts how Platner repeatedly told a previous girlfriend what he would do to an intruder who came into his D.C. home.

“He said this a lot: ‘If anybody ever broke in here, I would rape them,’ but he added that it would not be in ‘a sexual way, not in a gay way.’”

“He was like, I would rape them to show them that I’m dominant,” the former girlfriend said.

The Platner campaign has confirmed he made these statements, which creates a challenge for New Hampshire’s U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas. The likely Democratic nominee to replace Shaheen, he frequently touts the fact he would be the first openly gay man in the U.S. Senate.

He, too, has declined multiple requests for comment about Platner’s behavior.

The allegations are the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Platner, including his Nazi-linked tattoo, racist and anti-gay online posts, and reported extramarital sexting on a platform, Kik, that’s been described as a “predator’s paradise” by law enforcement.

The Shaheens’ refusal to criticize Platner comes as Democrats nationally are split over his candidacy. Progressive stars, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have continued to support him, and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California is reportedly scheduled to appear with him at a Maine rally. But U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has urged Maine Democrats to choose someone else.

The only Granite State Democrat who has given an extensive comment about Platner’s candidacy is U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, who isn’t up for reelection until 2028.

“Reports of threatening behavior and antisemitism like the ones made against Graham Platner are serious and deserve scrutiny. It’s also critical to acknowledge how difficult this is for the women who’ve come forward. Character matters now more than ever, and any high-profile campaign, including Mr. Platner’s, involves the close examination of a candidate’s history, statements, and behavior, as well as the candidate’s reaction to the pressure that such examination entails.

“Ultimately, the people of Maine will decide who has the character and judgment to best represent them,” Hassan said.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.