Gov. Janet Mills of Maine hinted she could still be a choice for Democratic voters after stepping back from the Senate race. This comes as Graham Platner, the likely Democratic nominee, is embroiled in a scandal over alleged sexual text messages sent to women outside his marriage.

During an interview with The Portland Press Herald, Ms. Mills clarified, “People have the impression that I ‘withdrew’ or ‘dropped out.’ I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot.” Her remarks were delivered to Steve Collins, a prominent columnist at Maine’s largest newspaper.

The controversy surrounding Mr. Platner centers on his admission of sending explicit texts to up to six women since his marriage in 2023. Previously, his campaign faced backlash over a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and inflammatory Reddit posts. Despite these issues, Mr. Platner had gained significant support from progressives, leading Ms. Mills to halt her campaign in late April.

The scandal has shaken Democratic politics, with Ms. Mills and David Costello, a former state official, still on the ballot for the upcoming primary elections in Maine. This controversy threatens the Democratic effort to unseat Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who has maintained her seat despite Democratic challenges.

Maine is crucial in the potential shift of Senate control, as it hosts the only competitive race in a state Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024. To secure a majority, Democrats must retain their seats and flip four Republican-held seats.

Mr. Platner has reacted strongly to the reports published by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, calling them “journalistic malpractice.” He insists that the focus should be on political issues rather than personal matters.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an early supporter of Mr. Platner, deflected attention by emphasizing the importance of focusing on issues affecting working families rather than personal scandals. He mentioned that Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, is supportive, wishing their marriage well.

This ongoing situation poses significant challenges for the Democratic party as they aim to capture a Senate majority in the November elections.