Graham Platner Issues NDAs as Campaign Faces Turmoil in Maine

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing significant challenges as his campaign encounters turmoil, prompting him to issue non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to staff members. This decision follows increasing scrutiny over his past comments on social media, specifically on Reddit. Former political director Genevieve McDonald, who resigned in October, claimed that NDAs began circulating around the same time as her departure.

In an interview with Politico, McDonald stated that she declined to sign an NDA, despite being offered $15,000 as an incentive. She expressed her discontent, saying, “I quit my job to work on Platner’s campaign, believing it was something different than it is.” This has raised questions about the campaign’s internal dynamics as it grapples with negative press.

The controversy surrounding Platner intensified after the resurfacing of his past Reddit posts, which included troubling remarks. According to a statement from his campaign, the offer of severance to McDonald was standard procedure. A spokesperson clarified that the campaign recently engaged Spruce Street Consulting to establish compliance practices that had not been previously implemented. The spokesperson emphasized that retroactive measures were not required for former employees like McDonald.

The NDAs reportedly began to circulate shortly after Platner faced backlash over his comments. The paperwork was sent electronically by campaign contractor Victoria Perrone to McDonald just days after her resignation. The campaign eventually voided the document on Wednesday evening, just hours after Politico inquired about the use of NDAs, indicating the sensitive nature of the situation.

Perrone, who is also the president of Spruce Street Consulting, confirmed that Platner is a client but refrained from providing additional comments. McDonald shared a screenshot of a text message from Perrone that suggested the payment was contingent upon signing the NDA, further complicating the narrative surrounding the campaign’s handling of staff.

In an effort to stabilize his campaign, Platner has appointed Kevin Brown, a veteran of previous Democratic campaigns, as his new campaign manager. Brown has not publicly commented on these developments. Additionally, an in-house attorney has been brought on board to address the campaign’s compliance issues.

As Platner’s campaign navigates these challenges, it has come under increased scrutiny, particularly following the entry of Janet Mills, the Democratic governor of Maine, into the primary race against Republican Senator Susan Collins. Platner’s campaign has been overshadowed by reports of his controversial past, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and posts suggesting that violence may be necessary for social change.

The situation continues to evolve as Platner seeks to regain momentum in a race critical for the Democratic Party. The fallout from his past comments and the subsequent handling of staff matters will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of his campaign.