A transgender-identifying candidate sparked social media attention after entering Maine’s Senate race to replace former Democrat nominee Graham Platner, who dropped out while facing sexual assault allegations.
Ashley Webb caused a social media storm Thursday after highlighting being a songwriter as a qualification for the United States Senate during a Democrat debate held by News Center Maine.
When each candidate was given a chance to introduce themselves, Webb said immigrants are being “rounded up like animals” and claimed the trans community is being “dehumanized.”
“I don’t want to hurt anybody, I just want to use the bathroom. And if they want me to use the men’s room, I will, but I don’t want to be assaulted.”
Ashley Webb – a Democrat contender to replace Graham Platner for U.S. Senate:
“I don’t want to hurt anybody, I just want to use the bathroom…if they want me to use the men’s room I will but I don’t want to be assaulted.” pic.twitter.com/ckiNs08hi9
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 17, 2026
The moderators, journalists Rob Caldwell and Phil Hirschkorn, then asked each candidate what qualifications they have for serving in Congress.
Webb’s answer drew widespread attention.
“Oh, I ran for office several times. Didn’t win, but I did run. And then I’m a songwriter and then I write my own books and then I suppose my transparency. I wouldn’t lie to people and I wouldn’t deceive the people like we’re being deceived right now.”
Webb characterized “what’s going on with ICE” as “smoke and mirrors,” arguing that supporters of federal immigration enforcement are “pretending like these victims did something wrong.”
Webb added: “I suppose the biggest thing is, like, I’m just an angry citizen now, and if I got elected, I’d be an angry senator and I think that would probably be their worst nightmare.”
Later in the debate, when asked for specific solutions to address the nearly $40 trillion in national debt and approximately $1.37 trillion annual deficit, Webb suggested cutting government spending — specifically citing President Donald Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which was reported to cost about $16 million, according to ABC News.
“I’m going to jump in, because that is a microscopic amount of money compared to what the federal budget is,” moderator Caldwell interjected.
When asked to provide a solution that will have a “real impact” on governmental spending, Webb argued against earmarking government funds in large legislative bills for localized projects — referring to the practice as “pork bellying.”
Video clips of Webb’s answers circulated online, with netizens expressing confusion over the Democrat Party’s new prospects to flip a Senate seat in Maine, which has been held by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) for nearly three decades.
“To be fair, that’s more relevant experience than Platner,” Washington Examiner senior writer David Harsanyi posted on X, in response to Webb’s qualifications.
To be fair, that’s more relevant experience than Platner. https://t.co/dnrR63k3FZ
— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) July 17, 2026
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN MAINE???!!!” Citizens Alliance CEO Cliff Maloney responded to the Democrat debate.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN MAINE???!!! https://t.co/UGsoXoTJhV
— Cliff Maloney (@Maloney) July 17, 2026
“Surely you can’t be serious…” conservative commentator Dave Rubin remarked.
Surely you can’t be serious… https://t.co/RkNLdCjpNI
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) July 17, 2026
Webb is running in the Democrat primary to face Collins in the general election.
