Maine Senate Candidate’s Elite Education Sparks Debate
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Maine, identifies as a “working-class Mainer,” but his background raises some eyebrows. Records indicate he attended the Hotchkiss School, a prestigious boarding school in Connecticut, which costs over $75,000 annually.
The Hotchkiss School is known for its notable alumni, including figures such as Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife, Mackenzie Scott. The Ellsworth American reported on Platner’s enrollment in 1999, stating that the school is located about 90 miles from Yale.
Recently recognized as the top boarding school in the country, Hotchkiss features extensive facilities, including a large farm and athletic amenities like an Olympic-sized rink and various courts.
Graham Platner publicly stated his intention to run for the Senate, expressing frustration over the living conditions for working people in Maine, saying, “I have seen this state become less livable for working people. And it deeply angers me.”
In 2002, Platner transferred to John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, another private institution with a reported $12,000 annual cost today. He mentioned a passion for teaching, noting that private schools often receive more attention.
Interestingly, his high school yearbook labeled him “the person most likely to start a revolution,” featuring a photo of him advocating for the “liberation” of various regions. Additionally, he has provoked controversy by comparing post-9/11 terrorist groups to “freedom fighters,” suggesting that media representation tends to paint all terrorists as purely evil.
These comments have complicated his image as a candidate focused on Maine’s working-class issues. During his campaign launch, he reaffirmed his identity as a veteran and oysterman, voicing his displeasure with the current state of affairs in Maine.
However, Platner’s campaign has attracted further scrutiny due to issues such as a tattoo resembling the Nazi emblem and his affiliation with groups like the Socialist Rifle Association. His campaign did not provide a comment when approached for insight.
