Since launching his Senate campaign in August, Graham Platner has garnered significant attention and backing from the progressive side of the Democratic Party.
Platner, an experienced oyster farmer, aims to challenge long-standing incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in his home state. His platform advocates for campaign finance and immigration reform, breaking up monopolies, enhancing government oversight, empowering labor unions, and ceasing U.S. involvement in what he calls “senseless wars.”
However, he first needs to navigate a competitive Democratic primary, now led by Maine Governor Janet Mills, who entered the race recently.
Complicating matters, Platner has faced scrutiny for controversial comments made on Reddit over the years and a tattoo that critics argue is reminiscent of Nazi propaganda.
Here’s a closer look at this 41-year-old populist candidate.
Background
Platner hails from Blue Hill, Maine, and grew up in Ellsworth and Sullivan. He graduated from John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor in 2003, according to local reports.
In an August post, Platner shared a yearbook photo where he held a sign advocating for various international causes, including Kosovo and Palestine.
His campaign website mentions that he “smuggled his birth certificate out of his father’s office” to enlist in the Marines post-graduation. He served multiple deployments, including in Iraq as well as a stint in Afghanistan after joining the Maryland Army National Guard in 2009.
Experience in D.C.
Platner returned to GWU in 2011, where he worked as a bartender at a popular dive bar in Capitol Hill. Just last month, he made a guest appearance there, according to a post on X.
He eventually withdrew from GWU due to struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and returned to Maine in 2018, taking over a friend’s oyster farm. He now holds roles as Sullivan’s Harbor Master and Planning Chairman.
Controversial Reddit Comments
Recently, reports from CNN and The Washington Post highlighted several problematic remarks made by Platner on Reddit over the past decade.
He has been accused of using offensive slurs, referring to himself as a “communist,” and trivializing issues related to military sexual assault. In a recent video, Platner distanced himself from these remarks, attributing them to his experiences with PTSD. On Pod Save America, he claimed that Maine residents would see a different side of him than what was portrayed.
Following these revelations, his political director, Genevieve McDonald, resigned from his campaign, reported the Bangor Daily News.
Tattoo Controversy
Platner has also addressed concerns about a tattoo on his chest that some have compared to a Nazi symbol.
He got this skull tattoo in 2007 during a trip to Croatia while on leave from the Marines. The design closely resembles the totenkopf, a symbol historically used by the Nazis.
His campaign has since stated that he covered up the tattoo, and he emphasized on Pod Save America that he does not endorse Nazism, anti-Semitism, or racism.
The Jewish Insider reported that in 2012, Platner referred to his tattoo as “my Totenkopf” to someone he knew.
Support from Sanders
Despite the backlash, Platner remains committed to his campaign, buoyed by the backing of progressive Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Platner remarked on Tuesday that he has faced tough experiences while abroad.
Sanders noted the scarcity of candidates standing up for working-class interests, urging support for Platner.
Context of the Race
These developments come as Governor Mills enters the race, receiving support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Platner’s campaign spokesperson criticized the perceived establishment support for Mills, claiming, “Graham wasn’t aiming to win based on that. He’s focused on winning the backing of the people of Maine.”
