Warren Supports Platner in Maine Senate Primary

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) made a trip to Maine over the weekend, backing Graham Platner, a progressive Senate hopeful, ahead of the upcoming Democratic primary in the state.

At a rally in Portland on Saturday, Warren praised Platner, highlighting that he’s a veteran and an oyster farmer who knows how to challenge Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins. “Graham is the person to beat Susan Collins,” she stated emphatically.

Warren reminisced about first noticing Platner during an interview post the 2008 financial crisis, where he asserted the system was “rigged” and emphasized that no bankers had faced jail time.

She has positioned Platner as a “warrior” for Maine voters, drawing attention to his candidacy amidst his competition with two-term Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who has the backing of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Still, Platner has not been without his share of controversy.

Recently, he addressed trauma stemming from past “horrific” online posts relating to sexual assault, which drew backlash. Furthermore, he publicly addressed a tattoo of a Nazi symbol on his chest, which he has since covered up. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by these things,” he said in a video apology.

Warren reinforced the need for change in Washington, asserting that insiders won’t eliminate corruption. “We need Graham Platner to intervene,” she declared. She stressed that with billionaires holding significant control, it’s time to pursue substantial changes rather than minor tweaks.

As Maine’s Democratic primary approaches on June 9, Platner is gearing up for a tough race against Collins in the November elections. His past controversies, including old social media posts and the tattoo, have been leveraged by Mills’ campaign to sway voters.

Despite the backlash, the Massachusetts Democratic Party has largely supported Platner, and Warren expressed her confidence in him, stating, “He’s apologized and is engaging with the people of Maine every day.”

The dynamics of the race are highlighted by a rift within the Democratic Party. Figures like Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders are rallying behind Platner, while Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer are supporting Mills.

During the rally, Platner framed himself as an outsider, criticizing the transfer of wealth to the political establishment, saying, “It was stolen from us through a system built by establishment politicians like Susan Collins.”