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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(131,079 posts)
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 07:28 PM Oct 24

Maine Senate candidate drops out, citing Platner's post on military rape

Source: The Hill

Maine’s Daira Smith-Rodriguez (D) suspended her Senate campaign Thursday and threw her support behind Gov. Janet Mills (D) citing fellow candidate Graham Platner’s past comments “dismissing the seriousness of rape in the military.”

“It has become clear that Republicans are eager to see a crowded Democratic primary that divides our voices and strengthens theirs,” Smith-Rodriguez, a U.S. Air Force civilian contracting officer, wrote in a statement. “I will not allow that to happen.”

“There are incredible leaders in this race who are talking about the real issues facing Mainers — from affordability and healthcare to housing and climate,” she said.

Smith-Rodriguez, a survivor of sexual assault in the military, added she “cannot, in good conscience, indicate support or remain silent if there is even a possibility that someone who questions the reality of this crisis could be elevated to the United States Senate.”

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-senate-candidate-drops-citing-191112012.html

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Maine Senate candidate drops out, citing Platner's post on military rape (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 24 OP
She gets it Keepthesoulalive Oct 24 #1
Real leadership Marthe48 Oct 24 #2
Stick a fork in him, MarineCombatEngineer Oct 24 #3
Yep. I think you're right, MCE. calimary Oct 24 #6
Disappear and clam up... yorkster Oct 24 #11
Yes, best to do it before something else comes out PatSeg Oct 24 #7
And as a Democrat. MarineCombatEngineer Oct 24 #8
I wonder when and if he became a Democrat. yorkster Oct 24 #12
I wonder as well PatSeg Oct 25 #17
Oh yes, especially as a Democrat PatSeg Oct 25 #16
Good On Daira Smith-Rodriguez... Cha Oct 24 #4
A noble act. Qutzupalotl Oct 24 #5
Drop out pro-rape nazi Platner! poli-junkie Oct 24 #9
A MAGA masking himself as a Democrat. Historic NY Oct 24 #10
Not that. But his redemption is too new to overturn his past. Easterncedar Oct 25 #15
This is a gutsy and principled move on her part. yorkster Oct 24 #13
That's a patriotic move! mcar Oct 25 #14
She understands what's at stake here. Now is NOT the time for divisive vanity campaigns... QueerDuck Oct 25 #18
I applaud you, Daira Smith-Rodriguez, republianmushroom Oct 25 #19
Kicking .. It's Important! Cha Oct 25 #20

MarineCombatEngineer

(16,922 posts)
3. Stick a fork in him,
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:13 PM
Oct 24

he's done.
His best bet at this stage is to withdraw, no endorsement, no explanations, etc..

calimary

(88,534 posts)
6. Yep. I think you're right, MCE.
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:03 PM
Oct 24

His best option is to quietly suspend his campaign. And then disappear.

PatSeg

(51,507 posts)
7. Yes, best to do it before something else comes out
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:39 PM
Oct 24

and you just know there's bound to be more. Talk about baggage, this guy is a political disaster. And he actually has the arrogance to run for the U.S. Senate knowing his own disqualifying history.

PatSeg

(51,507 posts)
16. Oh yes, especially as a Democrat
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 09:35 AM
Oct 25

He might be able to pull it off if he ran as a republican. All his negative history would probably be welcomed as qualifications with today's GOP.

His political instincts are really lame, unless his only purpose was to be a spoiler.

Cha

(315,878 posts)
4. Good On Daira Smith-Rodriguez...
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:41 PM
Oct 24

She's thinking about Women in the Military and her country.. Not herself!

Easterncedar

(5,279 posts)
15. Not that. But his redemption is too new to overturn his past.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 07:58 AM
Oct 25

His ideas and current philosophy are sincere, I believe.

QueerDuck

(643 posts)
18. She understands what's at stake here. Now is NOT the time for divisive vanity campaigns...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 09:45 AM
Oct 25

or campaigns meant to build warchests for a future run (maybe someday) in the future. It's also not the time to be splitting donations or selling books or complaining about Democrats.

I'm very proud and grateful that Daira Smith-Rodriguez (D) made the correct choice. It's time to coalesce around ONE candidate: Gov. Janet Mills (D) so that we can focus together on getting rid of Susan Collins.

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