General Discussion

On Sept. 15, Platner’s committee, Graham For Maine, paid Amy Gertner $1,799.81, and two weeks later issued another payment of $1,799.82, labeling both transactions as “salary.”

A former campaign staffer who requested anonymity told The Judge Street Journal that Gertner was initially brought on as a volunteer coordinator to help with early campaign efforts. The staffer said the campaign decided to pay Gertner for several reasons, including concerns about the optics of Platner drawing a salary himself and the possible effect on his veterans disability payments.

Platner has told News Center Maine he receives $4,800 per month in disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The former staffer said Gertner previously earned a salary from the oyster farm Platner owns and that the campaign income helped supplement that loss once campaigning began.

A spokesperson for the campaign confirmed that Gertner works full time for the campaign and described her as a valued member of the team. “She manages the campaign schedule and is a volunteer coordinator,” the statement said. “Additionally, as a former teacher, Amy also helps with the campaign’s education work.”

https://www.themainewire.com/2025/11/platner-pays-wife-through-campaign-keeps-his-disability-payments/