Democratic leaders and lawmakers are distancing themselves from Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, who has faced scrutiny over his past actions and online presence. Concerns about his ability to compete against incumbent Senator Susan Collins have intensified, particularly after Maine Governor Janet Mills opted out of the race, creating a vacancy for party support.
Recent reports have highlighted various scandals surrounding Platner, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and controversial online remarks. This has raised alarms among Democratic insiders, suggesting a potential rift between the party’s moderate and progressive factions.
Melissa DeRosa, a former aide to ex-New York City Mayor Andrew Cuomo, emphasized that Platner’s situation illustrates the internal conflicts within the party. She remarked that many moderate Democrats wouldn’t be upset if they lost Maine, hinting at a sense of resignation among some party members.
Even as Democrats view Maine as a critical opportunity to regain Senate control in the upcoming mid-term elections, Platner isn’t the dream candidate they envisioned. Nevertheless, his profile has grown since joining the race last year, recently gaining coverage on the front page of a major magazine.
However, troubling social media posts—including harsh criticisms of military personnel—have caught the attention of both Republican and Democratic strategists. A spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee articulated concerns that Platner’s controversial history might weigh heavily on him come election time.
Moreover, several prominent Democratic figures, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have avoided commenting on their support for him, reflecting a growing discomfort. Critics are also urging accountability for those who back Platner, suggesting that he challenges the party’s moral standing.
Platner’s challenges became more pronounced last year when videos surfaced of him dancing without a shirt, revealing a tattoo that symbolizes Nazi imagery. He later claimed he was unaware of the tattoo’s connotations, indicating he would seek its removal to mitigate the backlash.
Now, even members of the Democratic Party are vocalizing their criticisms. Representative Jake Auchincloss stated he believes both the tattoo and Platner’s past comments disqualify him, hoping that Maine voters will see it similarly. In a show of support for finding better candidates, Michael LaRosa, a former spokesperson for Jill Biden, commended Auchincloss’s stance.
When asked about rising concerns of anti-Semitism within the party, Senator John Fetterman pointed to Platner as a troubling example, expressing confusion over how Platner’s tattoo seems irrelevant to some voters.
