Susan Collins

Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday she’ll back controversial U.S. Senate candidate from Maine Graham Platner in a November general election matchup against Sen. Susan Collins even as the Democratic hopeful becomes entangled in controversy over his now infamous tattoo of a Nazi symbol and a recently revealed sexting scandal.

Healey explained that her support for Platner is based in what she says is the need to “defeat Susan Collins” at all costs, citing the Republican lawmaker’s support of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision and a number of President Trump’s policies and decisions.

Healey had previously endorsed Democratic Gov. Janet Mills for the Senate seat. Mills, who suspended her campaign on April 30 after falling to Platner in numerous polls, remains on the ballot.

“The person I endorsed in the race was my colleague, Governor Janet Mills. We also served together as Attorney General. She is on the ballot. What I’ve said, too, is come November, we need to do everything we can to defeat Susan Collins, who is the reason that we have the Dobbs decision, the reason that Roe v. Wade was overturned,” Healey said when asked by the Herald how she could support a candidate embroiled in as much controversy as Platner.

“She is part of the enabling of Trump, whether it’s spending a billion dollars a day on this war of choice, cutting a trillion dollars out of health care. It’s going to hurt people here in Massachusetts, cutting benefits for veterans, cutting benefits for food. I mean, these are all things that Susan Collins has gone along with Trump on,” Healey continued. “This is a federal administration that needs real leadership and needs senators who are willing to stand up and do what’s right. Susan Collins has had that opportunity. She failed, and come November, we need a change.”

Just hours earlier, during an appearance on GBH radio, Healey confirmed she’ll back Platner in the general election if he wins the primary.

“Yes, and I’ll tell you why. I’m disgusted by what he posted and I’m disgusted by his other behaviors and antics. But, here’s the thing, come November, there’s going to be a clear choice: There’s going to be Susan Collins, on the one hand, who has stood with Trump,” said Healey. “Susan Collins did not stand with us, she stood with Trump on that.”

GOP candidates blast Healey

The two Republican candidates for governor slammed Healey for publicly supporting Platner. Mike Minogue highlighted Healey’s “obsession” with Washington politics and Brian Shortsleeve blasted Healey’s dismissal of Platner’s controversial past.

“Massachusetts needs a governor focused on the people of our state and their needs, not a politician obsessed with federal fights and Washington politics. Maura Healey is failing at her day job; I will be laser focused on improving people’s lives through accountability, affordability, opportunity, and keeping Bay Staters safe,” Minogue said in a written statement.

“Maura Healey just endorsed a self-avowed communist with a Nazi tattoo whose online writings include racist, sexist and anti-police remarks over one of America’s most distinguished and bipartisan senators. Let that sink in,” Shortsleeve campaign spokesperson Pat Nestor told the Herald.

Platner camp set up at Dem Convention

Meanwhile, Healey isn’t the only Bay State Democrat publicly supporting Platner’s candidacy. On Saturday, Platner’s campaign was allowed inside the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in Worcester, with Platner staffers displaying campaign signs while soliciting donations and volunteers. Platner’s campaign was even allowed to share table space with Sen. Ed Markey’s campaign.

The Massachusetts Republican Party condemned Democrats for allowing Platner’s campaign to set up shop, slamming the party’s decision to “enable a candidate with this kind of hate.”

“The Massachusetts Republican Party condemns the Mass Dems for allowing Platner’s campaign to recruit in Massachusetts. We call on Governor Maura Healey, Senator Ed Markey and all Democrats to openly reject Platner and the Massachusetts Democrat State Committee for allowing this,” MassGOP Executive Director Haley Jones.

“The Massachusetts Democratic Party’s decision to enable a candidate with this kind of hate is outrageous,” she added. “Allowing open recruitment for someone with a Nazi tattoo and a history of disturbing conduct is deeply troubling,” she said.

MassDems tells the Herald that the Platner campaign never contacted them about coming to the Saturday convention nor did the party realize his staff was at the event.

Deaton criticizes Markey’s silence

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton meanwhile, slammed Markey for remaining silent on his Democratic colleagues’ support for Platner.

“All these years later, nothing has changed. While Democrats like Cory Booker and Jake Auchincloss are speaking out against Platner, others, like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, are praising him. Ed Markey is hiding. Again,” Deaton said in a written statement. “Massachusetts deserves a senator who takes a stand, takes the heat, and lets the voters decide.”