Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher has publicly endorsed Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, despite controversies surrounding the candidate’s past behavior and personal conduct. Maher made his remarks during his Friday show, highlighting the broader political significance of the upcoming November election.

Maine’s Senate seat, currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins, is considered a crucial battleground in the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats are aiming to flip at least four Senate seats to regain control of the chamber, and Maine is viewed as a prime opportunity.

Maher acknowledged Platner’s troubled history, which includes allegations of inappropriate conduct, a reported Nazi tattoo, and a cheating scandal. The candidate’s former partner, Lyndsey Fifield, shared a disturbing anecdote alleging that Platner once said he would respond to a home invasion with sexual violence, though she clarified that it was not meant sexually. Platner has denied claims of physical abuse, while admitting to being a problematic boyfriend. Additionally, unearthed social media posts have suggested past expressions of extreme views, including communist sympathies and disparaging remarks about police and racial groups.

Despite these concerns, Maher argued that the Democratic Party’s ability to retake the Senate should take precedence. “We need to restore balance in our government, and a Democratic Senate would help a lot with that,” Maher said, adding that Platner’s flaws, while significant, reflect broader societal issues. “America is a country filled with a lot of broken, horribly educated, phone-addicted, sort of nutty people,” he remarked, suggesting that the current political landscape often mirrors these complexities.

Maher also noted Platner’s military service, saying it should not be discounted, while simultaneously describing the candidate’s personal life as chaotic, likening it to the plot of a “hangover” movie. He stressed that while he did not personally judge Platner, the candidate himself seemed uncertain about his own identity.

Platner secured the Democratic nomination last Tuesday and currently holds a narrow lead over Collins in polling averages, though the margin has reportedly decreased in recent weeks. Collins had notably outperformed expectations in her 2020 reelection campaign, making the race competitive.

The endorsement underscores the strategic calculations facing Democratic leaders and voters as they weigh the importance of reclaiming Senate control against concerns about individual candidates’ backgrounds. The Maine contest remains one of several key Senate races nationwide that will influence the balance of power in Congress following the November elections.