Graham Platner Faces Campaign Crisis, Issues NDAs to Staff

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is taking urgent steps to manage the fallout from a campaign crisis by issuing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to staff members. This decision comes in the wake of growing scrutiny surrounding his past social media activity, particularly posts on Reddit that have resurfaced and drawn criticism.

Former political director Genevieve McDonald, who resigned from her position in October, claims that NDAs began circulating among staff shortly after the backlash against Platner intensified. According to a report by Politico, McDonald declined to sign the NDA, stating, “The campaign offered me $15,000 to sign an NDA. I did not accept the offer. I certainly could have used the money. I quit my job to work on Platner’s campaign, believing it was something different than it is.”

In response to inquiries, the Platner campaign characterized the $15,000 offer to McDonald as standard severance. A campaign spokesperson explained that they had recently engaged Spruce Street Consulting to improve compliance measures, which included retroactive implementation of some practices. The spokesperson emphasized that McDonald was not required to sign the NDA as a condition of her employment.

The NDAs reportedly began circulating shortly after Platner faced backlash for past Reddit posts, including one that allegedly featured a Nazi symbol tattoo and another that suggested violence might be necessary for social change. These revelations have raised questions about his suitability as a candidate, particularly as Janet Mills, the Democratic Governor of Maine, enters the race as a preferred challenger to Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The campaign’s actions have drawn scrutiny. The NDA was sent electronically to McDonald by campaign contractor Victoria Perrone, who is also the president and founder of Spruce Street Consulting. While Perrone confirmed that Platner was a client, she declined to provide further comment. The NDA was reportedly voided by the campaign shortly after Politico reached out for clarification, illustrating a reactive approach to media scrutiny.

In addition to issuing NDAs, Platner has appointed Kevin Brown, a veteran of previous Democratic campaigns, as his new campaign manager. This move is part of an effort to stabilize his campaign, which has recently been overshadowed by negative reports regarding his past actions and statements.

Platner’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment from other media outlets, including the Daily Caller. As the political landscape evolves in Maine, the developments surrounding Platner’s candidacy will continue to be closely monitored by constituents and political analysts alike.