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Controversies dog Platner as Senate Democrats weigh his viability against Collins.Controversies dog Platner as Senate Democrats weigh his viability against Collins HUNT VALLEY, Md.(TNND) — Graham Platner, the embattled Democratic candidate in Maine’s U.S.Senate race, reportedly dismissed questions from his potential future colleagues Wednesday about more damaging allegations of wrongdoing.He met in Washington with a group of Senate Democrats, some of whom have endorsed him, about accusations of extramarital sexting, offensive social media posts and other issues that have harmed his ability to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins, according to The Wall Street Journal.Platner, in response to a question from Massachusetts's Elizabeth Warren, denied more serious allegations, like sexual assault, would surface.“It’s not a secret I’ve had a messy, complicated life,” Platner reportedly said.“The worst of the rumors we’ve all heard are not true.” It’s unclear which scandals he was referencing.The candidate has either apologized for or declined to deny the sexting, Reddit posts and having a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.His wife, Amy Gertner, said in response to the Journal’s Saturday report of the extramarital messages that their marriage was challenging, though “great.” “I just really wanted to make sure that everyone knows that Graham and I have a great marriage,” she said.“Being married is hard.Being newly married is hard.” Most senators in Wednesday’s meeting reportedly left satisfied with Platner’s answers.He has become the top Democratic candidate in a race that used to include Governor Janet Mills – who dropped out for what she said was a lack of funds – despite his various controversies.Polling shows he is leading Collins in a general election matchup, although the five-term incumbent has weathered Democratic challengers for decades.She has mostly refrained from returning Platner’s attacks – the Democrat frequently promotes her support for unpopular Republican agenda items – but has occasionally responded to her opponent’s military criticisms.Platner, a veteran, has accused Collins of voting to send him to the war in Iraq.“He not only enlisted twice, after the war was started, but he also went to work for a security company, a controversial one named Blackwater, after his term in the service was over,” Collins said last week.“So, I respect anyone who steps forward to serve their country.But the fact is, that was Platner's decision to serve.He was not drafted.” Platner has said his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan left him with PTSD, which he blames for various offensive Reddit posts after his return.He insulted police officers, called white, rural people racist and downplayed rape in a handful of comments over the past 15 years.“While I won’t defend things I said in the past, I will just say that if it wasn’t for that entire journey, I would not be who I am today, and I’m incredibly proud of who I am today,” Platner said last fall.“And so, for those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you don’t recognize, I am deeply sorry.” Do you have questions, concerns or tips?Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.