A House Democrat has seemingly eased his stance towards Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner from Maine, drawing mixed reactions from across the political spectrum.
Initially, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Massachusetts Democrat, stirred some anger among progressives by criticizing Platner’s Nazi-related tattoos. He stated, “I hope the voters of Maine agree with me.” However, Auchincloss later faced backlash from both sides after he clarified that he was not backing Platner’s opponent, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and shifted away from urging Maine voters to reject Platner.
Platner has been under heavy scrutiny since he disclosed last year that he once had a tattoo of a black skull and crossbones, which he got while on a vacation in Croatia during his time with the Marines. At that time, he claimed he wasn’t aware it was associated with Nazi imagery.
Following this, Auchincloss expressed his frustration on social media, saying, “Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst administration in history. To claim I support her, implicitly or otherwise, ignores my record of supporting Democrats taking back both houses of Congress.” He also reiterated his belief that Platner’s tattoos and comments about them are “disqualifying,” adding that he would choose someone else in the Democratic primary if it were him.
He remarked that regardless of what unfolds in Maine, Democrats need to retake the Senate, and he remains committed to that goal.
Some left-leaning commentators found Auchincloss’s comments confusing. For instance, journalist Peter Beinart remarked, “This is completely incoherent. The race is between Platner and Collins.” He also suggested that if Auchincloss opposes both candidates, he might not care who ultimately wins.
Progressive analyst Rachel Bitekofer criticized Auchincloss for not addressing “the actual Nazi policies” within the Republican Party while directing focus toward Platner’s tattoos. She stated, “We need to take back the Senate, but please don’t vote D because I’d rather pretend to have tattoos than make him a Nazi while the actual policies are confronting the Nazi.”
Tommy Vieter, a Platner supporter and co-host of the popular Democratic podcast Pod Save America, questioned whether a conversation could resolve Auchincloss’s opposition to Platner.
On the conservative side, Auchincloss was accused of backtracking after initially condemning Platner. Commentators like Will Chamberlain expressed frustrations, questioning how quickly Auchincloss seemed to change his stance. “It only took 24 hours to bend the knee to a Nazi tattoo guy?” he tweeted. Others mocked him for his perceived lack of courage regarding the situation.
Auchincloss was among the few Democrats calling for Platner’s withdrawal from the primary after the revelation of his tattoo came to light on the podcast in October 2025.
Platner, backed by notable left-wing Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, seemed positioned as a key Democratic candidate following the suspension of Maine Governor Janet Mills’s campaign ahead of the June 9 primary.
Now 41, Platner had acquired the tattoo around twenty years ago during a night out in Croatia, later covering it up and claiming ignorance about its ties to Nazi symbolism.
Alongside the tattoo controversy, Platner has faced criticism over past social media comments, including a deleted Reddit post from 2021 where he labeled rural white Americans as racist. Additionally, he made disparaging remarks about a Purple Heart recipient, which further fueled backlash against him.
As for Collins, she is seen as a vulnerable candidate in the upcoming elections, and her seat is crucial for Democrats aiming to reclaim control in the Senate during the midterms.
