The suspension of Democratic candidate Graham Platner’s campaign for U.S. Senate in Maine, following a series of revelations about his sordid past behavior culminating in a serious allegation that he had raped a woman, is an occasion to take stock of what we value in candidates for public office. 

The case for Mr. Platner’s candidacy seemed to be less about policy differences with Gov. Janet Mills, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary on June 9 after she had already suspended her campaign, and more on his appearance of toughness. Mr. Platner presented himself as a salt-of-the-earth working man ready to take on both President Donald Trump and what he saw as an aging and overcautious Democratic Party establishment. His service in the Marine Corps and his career as an oyster farmer ostensibly made him “relatable” to many working-class Mainers.