Democratic Socialists of America members are circulating a letter demanding candidates and elected officials cut ties with Morris Katz and his firm Fight Agency following the collapse of Graham Platner's Maine Senate campaign. The letter alleges Katz recruited Platner and continued backing his candidacy despite awareness of sexual misconduct allegations, foreclosing a primary replacement. Platner's campaign imploded after rape allegations surfaced, with Katz claiming his team advised suspension immediately upon learning of the claims — a timeline DSA members dispute.

The fallout threatens Fight Agency's client roster, which includes Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate bid and past work for Zohran Mamdani's successful New York mayoral run. DSA's national organization says it hasn't reviewed the letter, but the local NYC-DSA chapter — which backed winning congressional primaries for Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier — faces reputational risk from Katz's association. The consulting firm's revenue pipeline depends on progressive candidates who may now hesitate to engage a shop under fire for ethical lapses.

Progressive strategists are split. Some argue consultants for scandal-plagued figures like Andrew Cuomo or Eric Swalwell avoided similar blacklisting, suggesting a double standard. Others contend Katz's effectiveness makes him a target. For the political consulting market, the episode signals heightened scrutiny on vetting practices and crisis management — competencies that determine whether firms retain high-profile contracts or lose them to rivals with cleaner track records.