Maine Senate Candidate’s Controversial Past
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner from Maine has come under scrutiny for a past Reddit post where he suggested violence as a means for social change, according to Politico. In 2018, Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer, stated that “an armed working class is a requirement of economic justice,” adding that those who think they can combat fascism without “a good semi-automatic rifle” should “read a little history.” This post has since been deleted.
Platner did not deny writing the post but distanced himself from those views in a statement to Politico. He explained to CNN that his previous comments reflected a disillusioned phase in his life, claiming, “I was messing around on the internet when I was feeling lost and very disillusioned with the government that had sent me overseas to watch my friend die. But of course, I’m not a socialist. I’m a small business owner, Marine Corps veteran, and retired shitposter.”
Earlier this month, CNN reported that Platner had participated in leftist forums like r/SocialistRA. Under the username “P-Hustle,” he made various inflammatory remarks, including calling police “all bastards” and expressing beliefs about racism among white rural Americans. Platner deleted these posts in August, coinciding with the launch of his Senate campaign, as he sought to distance himself from such political affiliations, referring to that time as dark.
Since his campaign began, there has been some opposition to Platner, with observers noting a perceived effort by the Democratic establishment to block him from gaining traction against other candidates. The New York Times described him as a “political novice” focused on improving conditions for Maine’s working class and challenging incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.
However, Platner’s past and his associations raise questions about his appeal to independent voters. He has hired Morris Katz, a Democratic strategist known for supporting candidates like Zoran Mamdani in New York. His first campaign ad was produced by Fight Agency, a media company with a history of working alongside many prominent Democratic figures. Joe Calvello, a senior adviser for Platner, has also previously worked with notable political figures, including Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
