The resignation of Ronald Holmes, the finance director for Graham Platner’s Senate campaign, signals yet another leadership change within a campaign already beset by controversies. Holmes, who had served in the role since August, announced his departure on LinkedIn, citing a misalignment between his professional standards and those of the campaign. His resignation follows the exits of campaign manager Kevin Brown and political director Genevieve McDonald, who both left the team amid disputes over Platner’s past actions and public statements.
Platner’s campaign, which has seen a series of personnel changes, continues to face scrutiny over a range of issues. These include a tattoo with Nazi connotations that Platner had long dismissed as a personal symbol, and his past Reddit posts where he self-identified as a communist and downplayed allegations of sexual assault in the military. The controversies have led to a series of resignations, including McDonald’s, who left the campaign in a fiery statement expressing her inability to overlook some of Platner’s previous actions.
Despite the internal turmoil, Platner’s campaign has remained active in the political landscape, with continued efforts to mobilize support and engage voters. His campaign has raised over $3.2 million in its first six weeks as a candidate, primarily from small-dollar donors. The campaign’s spokesperson has emphasized that the fundraising success has been largely driven by online and small-dollar contributors, with digital fundraising operations managed by the campaign’s digital director.
Platner’s transition from an unknown oysterman to a high-profile Senate candidate has been rapid, with endorsements from notable figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). However, his campaign’s challenges continue to be a focal point, particularly as he seeks to navigate the competitive Democratic primary landscape, where he faces strong contenders like Governor Janet Mills and former congressional staffer Jordan Wood. Recent polls, though inconsistent, have positioned Platner as a formidable candidate in the race, highlighting the ongoing tension and volatility in the political arena.