DSA Members Urge Campaigns to Ditch Platner Consultant Who Advised Mamdani

Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members have called on political campaigns and elected officials to cease working with consultants linked to the failed Senate campaign of Maine candidate Graham Platner. According to screenshots obtained by The Intercept, a letter signed by several DSA members urges candidates and officials to avoid contracting with Morris Katz and his firm, Fight Agency, which managed Platner's campaign. The letter highlights concerns about the role played by these consultants amid the unfolding controversy involving Platner. The document states that Morris Katz, who is not a member of DSA, was a central figure in Platner's campaign. It claims that Katz was instrumental in recruiting Platner and enhancing his candidacy through strategic video production, media placements, and leveraging political connections. However, the letter criticizes Katz for continuing to support Platner despite growing scandals tied to the candidate. Rebecca Katz, a consultant associated with Fight Agency, is also named in the letter. She is mentioned as having advised Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, even after he took a more conservative stance upon entering the Senate. This detail adds complexity to the narrative around the agency's influence and the shifting dynamics within political campaigns. The authenticity of the letter has been confirmed by two individuals familiar with its contents. Meanwhile, representatives from DSA's national organization stated they had not yet reviewed the letter. Both Morris and Rebecca Katz have not commented on the situation thus far. Fight Agency is currently engaged with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is not aligned with DSA. In contrast, DSA has redirected its efforts toward supporting congressional candidate Donavan McKinney in Michigan. This shift indicates a broader strategy within the organization to focus on specific regional targets. Morris Katz addressed the allegations through a post on X, stating that his team recommended Platner suspend his candidacy once the rape allegations surfaced. He claimed they subsequently worked to conclude the campaign. However, the DSA members' letter disputes this account, suggesting that Katz continued to fully support Platner's candidacy despite escalating issues. Reports indicate that Katz and other campaign staff were aware of some of Platner's problematic past. Despite this knowledge, the letter asserts that Katz maintained strong support for Platner's candidacy, preventing any opportunity to replace him before the primary election. Additionally, there are claims that Katz allegedly threatened a former Platner staffer for assisting in verifying allegations and controversies surrounding the campaign. The alleged threat, initially reported by the Bangor Daily News, targeted a Platner campaign employee who had previously exposed an earlier sexting scandal and later departed the campaign due to Platner's contentious Reddit posts. While some Democrats and progressives have criticized the backlash against Katz and Fight Agency, others argue that consultants working with candidates known for credible allegations of sexual misconduct, such as former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo or former Representative Eric Swalwell, have not faced similar consequences. A progressive strategist, speaking anonymously, questioned whether similar scrutiny was applied to consultants associated with figures like Swalwell. Critics suggest that the issue of holding consultants accountable is not exclusive to the left but rather a reflection of broader challenges within the political landscape. They emphasize the importance of ensuring candidates are held responsible for their actions, regardless of the consultants involved.