Sen. Mark Warner mentioned Sunday that allegations towards Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner will probably be as much as voters to weigh, however are “disturbing” if true.
“I do assume on the finish of the day American voters will make these selections, and I do not know Mr. Platner. I’ve by no means met him,” Warner, D-Va., advised ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz. “I’d simply say this: The allegations are made. I feel you must have not less than some try and … disprove them, if that is the case.”
Final week, the New York Instances printed a narrative primarily based on interviews with a number of of Platner’s ex-partners, one in every of whom described his habits at instances as “unsettling” and “reckless.” Among the girls interviewed for the article claimed that Platner could possibly be demeaning to girls and one lady alleged he was bodily tough together with her. Others described him extra positively, with one calling him a “light large.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on June 7, 2026.
ABC Information
Platner has mentioned he struggled with PTSD and self-medicated with alcohol. He acknowledged he has been a “unhealthy boyfriend” however denied any bodily roughness with previous companions.
Platner is hoping to face Sen. Susan Collins in November, a long-time Republican incumbent who has over-performed in her previous elections. To win management of the Senate, defeating Collins is key for Democrats, a few of whom concern that Platner’s controversies might value them the race.
Whereas Warner mentioned he wished each events would maintain themselves to a better normal, he identified that President Donald Trump confronted a number of controversies when working for president in 2016 and nonetheless was elected.
“This entire realm modified dramatically when Donald Trump ran his first time, was caught on tape saying terribly dispiriting issues,” Warner mentioned. “That appeared to not cease Trump getting elected.”
Platner’s outsider candidacy comes as Democrats weigh how they need to ship their message to voters forward of this 12 months’s midterms and the presidential election in 2028.
Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a marketing campaign occasion Friday, June 5, 2026, in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP Photograph/Robert F. Bukaty
Warner mentioned that working towards Trump and his insurance policies is appropriate for the midterms, however hopes Democrats lead with a “pro-growth” and “pro-innovation” message going ahead.
“One of many areas I am spending numerous time in, synthetic intelligence, goes to remodel our world past what we will think about,” Warner mentioned. “There’s additionally a deep underbelly right here of nationwide safety dangers, private dangers, job dangers that we now have to take care of. I might love Democrats to guide on that.”
Listed below are extra highlights from Warner’s interview:
On Invoice Pulte’s nomination as performing director of nationwide intelligence
Raddatz: Let’s speak about Invoice Pulte. You introduced that up. The present director of the Federal Housing Company, he has — President Trump has now picked him as performing director of the DNI. You’ve got been very essential, and so have Republicans.
Warner: That is past outrageous. This man has no nationwide safety expertise. You keep in mind when the regulation was arrange, the director of nationwide intelligence overseeing 18 businesses was presupposed to have nationwide safety expertise. This man’s acquired none. Matter of reality, I do not imagine he has a safety clearance.
What he has proven is an entire loyalty to do no matter Donald Trump desires, compromising personal details about mortgages. Which means he ought to get promoted to have the keys to the 18 intelligence businesses with our most labeled info. And with an try by President Trump to intervene within the elections, my concern is that this man would fully go together with that.
And it is not simply me. Take a look at the Republican pushback as effectively.
On the stalled vote to increase international surveillance authority
Raddatz: FISA, which is a essential authorities international surveillance authority, is about to run out subsequent Friday. Final Friday, virtually each Democrat voted towards starting debate to increase it after the president made his announcement of Pulte. So —
Warner: And a few Republicans voted towards it as effectively.
Raddatz: Yeah. So, if he doesn’t change his thoughts, will Democrats — will you deny the extension?
Warner: I did not — I understand how essential this software is. Why the president would throw this dwell hand grenade of Invoice Pulte in 10 days earlier than this is because of expire, I am unsure Donald Trump desires this to run out. We had been on the trail, been working effectively with [Republican Sen.] Tom Cotton, my chairman, to have a compromise invoice come ahead.
The thought that you’ll have Democrats and I feel accountable Republicans say we wish to flip a controversial program that 702 already is over to a man with no nationwide safety expertise, that is a tough row to hoe.
