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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(130,115 posts)
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:28 PM Friday

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 Friday OP
She gets it Keepthesoulalive Friday #1
Real leadership Marthe48 Friday #2
Stick a fork in him, MarineCombatEngineer Friday #3
Yep. I think you're right, MCE. calimary Friday #6
Disappear and clam up... yorkster Friday #11
Yes, best to do it before something else comes out PatSeg Friday #7
And as a Democrat. MarineCombatEngineer Friday #8
I wonder when and if he became a Democrat. yorkster Friday #12
I wonder as well PatSeg 15 hrs ago #17
Oh yes, especially as a Democrat PatSeg 15 hrs ago #16
Good On Daira Smith-Rodriguez... Cha Friday #4
A noble act. Qutzupalotl Friday #5
Drop out pro-rape nazi Platner! poli-junkie Friday #9
A MAGA masking himself as a Democrat. Historic NY Friday #10
Not that. But his redemption is too new to overturn his past. Easterncedar 16 hrs ago #15
This is a gutsy and principled move on her part. yorkster Friday #13
That's a patriotic move! mcar 23 hrs ago #14
She understands what's at stake here. Now is NOT the time for divisive vanity campaigns... QueerDuck 14 hrs ago #18
I applaud you, Daira Smith-Rodriguez, republianmushroom 13 hrs ago #19
Kicking .. It's Important! Cha 7 hrs ago #20

MarineCombatEngineer

(16,330 posts)
3. Stick a fork in him,
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:13 PM
Friday

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

calimary

(88,233 posts)
6. Yep. I think you're right, MCE.
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:03 PM
Friday

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

PatSeg

(51,263 posts)
7. Yes, best to do it before something else comes out
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:39 PM
Friday

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

(51,263 posts)
16. Oh yes, especially as a Democrat
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:35 AM
15 hrs ago

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

(315,261 posts)
4. Good On Daira Smith-Rodriguez...
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:41 PM
Friday

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

Easterncedar

(5,120 posts)
15. Not that. But his redemption is too new to overturn his past.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 08:58 AM
16 hrs ago

His ideas and current philosophy are sincere, I believe.

QueerDuck

(346 posts)
18. She understands what's at stake here. Now is NOT the time for divisive vanity campaigns...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:45 AM
14 hrs ago

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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