Graham Platner, a Democrat who wanted the party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine, dropped out of the race amid a list of scandals too long to recite that included an allegation of sexual assault.
So the party held a debate as part of the process to pick a replacement, and social media has gone wild over how one of the participants described his qualifications to be a U.S. senator.
He’s a “songwriter.”
“I think [Republican candidate] Susan Collins is going to win,” Manhattan Institute Vice President of External Affairs Jesse Arm said.
I think Susan Collins is going to win. https://t.co/RY4oQBwn7X
— Jesse Arm (@Jesse_Leg) July 17, 2026
The claim came from candidate Ashley Webb, a man who portrays himself as a woman.
Ashley Webb – a Democrat contender to replace Graham Platner for U.S. Senate:
“I don’t want to hurt anybody, I just want to use the bathroom…if they want me to use the men’s room I will but I don’t want to be assaulted.” pic.twitter.com/ckiNs08hi9
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 17, 2026
A report at Fox News reported he said, when asked about qualifications, “I ran for office several times, didn’t win, but I did run and then, I’m a songwriter and then I write my own books.”
He continued, “I suppose my transparency, I wouldn’t lie to people and I wouldn’t deceive the people, like, we’re being deceived right now, like we get lied to, smoke and mirrors, like what’s going on with ICE.”
The report said commentator Dave Rubin said, “Surely you can’t be serious… .”
You cannot and will not convince me that this is real. https://t.co/lIbsxGtJwq
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 17, 2026
The report noted from Washington Examiner senior writer Daavid Harsanyi was, “To be fair, that’s more relevant experience than Platner.”
And Citizens Alliance CEO Cliff Maloney said, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN MAINE???!!!”
🚨 WTF?! The new Maine US Senate primary for Democrats is a total CLOWN CAR!
Dems just trotted out this entity as a possible replacement for Graham Platner to face Sen. Susan Collins (R) this November 🤡 pic.twitter.com/yPPhHfELTF
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 17, 2026
Fox reported Webb was one of eight candidates on stage for the Thursday debate. Others included Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah, Jordan Wood, Lizzie Dickerson, Dan Kleban and David Costello. Several are former government employees or officials.
