Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has seen another member of his campaign team leave amid ongoing controversies surrounding past social media remarks and alleged Nazi-related tattoos.
Ronald Holmes, who served as the national finance director for Platner’s campaign, announced his resignation “effective immediately” on Friday through a LinkedIn post.
In his announcement, Holmes mentioned that he initially joined the campaign with hopes of fostering fresh energy and integrity within a political ecosystem often resistant to change. However, he expressed that over time, his “professional standards” didn’t fully align with those of Platner’s team.
He concluded with a note of pride for those involved in the campaign and wished for the voters of Maine to select the candidate they believe is best for the current political climate.
This marks the third exit from Platner’s team. On Monday, former campaign manager Kevin Brown resigned, citing personal reasons tied to an impending family event. Genevieve MacDonald, the former political director, also left due to Platner’s prior social media activity.
Platner had maintained a Reddit account in the past, which was deleted before he launched his campaign. On that account, he made some controversial comments, including denials of sexual assault, questionable remarks about tipping practices among Black individuals, and implied support for political violence. Platner has since claimed these comments do not reflect his current views.
Additionally, one of his tattoos has drawn criticism for its resemblance to a Nazi emblem. Platner acknowledged this tattoo last week but stated that he was unaware of its meaning until he was informed. Further old posts have emerged, raising doubts about his assertions.
This week, Platner went on the offensive, accusing fellow Democrats of attempting to “destroy” his life during a town hall meeting in Maine. His social media controversies gained traction after Democratic Governor Janet Mills entered the Senate race in mid-October.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has shown support for Mills, while Senator Bernie Sanders continues to back Platner, despite the ongoing issues affecting his campaign. Both are hoping their efforts will help displace Republican Senator Susan Collins and alter the Senate majority.
