In a surprising move, Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) is stepping up to support Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, who is currently embroiled in multiple scandals. Schatz, a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, will feature as a special guest at a virtual fundraising event this Sunday, aimed at boosting Platner's campaign.

Tickets for the event are priced between $100 and $7,000, the latter being the maximum contribution allowed, according to an invitation seen by POLITICO. The event was organized a few weeks ago, even as Platner faced growing criticism from within his own party due to his controversial actions and allegations.

Despite previous reservations, Schatz's involvement marks his first public endorsement of Platner. This is noteworthy given Schatz's influential role in the Senate, where he serves as the deputy conference secretary and chief deputy whip. He is also slated to ascend to the No. 2 role in the party next year with the support of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The backing from Schatz comes at a critical time for Platner, who has been hit by a series of damaging reports. Last week, it was revealed that Platner had sent sexually explicit texts to various women while married. This was followed by a New York Times expose that detailed allegations of violent behaviors toward ex-girlfriends and an incident involving a tattoo with a Nazi symbol, which Platner had previously denied knowing about.

Despite the turmoil, Platner remains steadfast in his campaign, dismissing the allegations and focusing on the upcoming primary against Republican Senator Susan Collins. His campaign reported a significant boost in fundraising following the controversies, indicating that his support base might still be intact.

Other prominent Democrats and groups have also reaffirmed their support for Platner, including Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and organizations like VoteVets and the Working Families Party. At a recent rally, Khanna emphasized the importance of redemption and the collective goal of defeating Collins in November.

However, the Democratic Party remains divided, with some members calling for Platner to withdraw from the race, fearing that the scandals could jeopardize their chances in what is considered a critical battleground state. The outcome of Tuesday's primary may determine the future course of action, as party leaders and voters weigh the potential for a protest vote and the broader implications for the Senate race.

As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Maine to see how voters will respond to Platner's contentious candidacy and the Democratic Party's strategy moving forward.