Additional Coverage:
- As he remains defiant, Graham Platner’s candidacy for Maine Senate becomes a progressive litmus test (cnn.com)
Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Addresses Controversies Amidst Democratic Internal Strife
Ogunquit, ME – US Senate hopeful Graham Platner, a Maine Democrat, faced a crowd in Ogunquit on Wednesday evening, October 22, defiantly addressing a wave of recent negative revelations concerning his online posts and a tattoo that has drawn comparisons to Nazi imagery. Platner, whose campaign is rapidly becoming a litmus test for the Democratic Party’s evolving identity, pushed back against what he described as an organized effort to “destroy my life.”
“The amount of money and time it takes to dig through somebody’s entire past who has not lived a very public life is extensive, and yet they are willing to expend those resources,” Platner told attendees at the Leavitt Theater town hall. “They are not trying to organize people. They are trying to destroy my life.”
The controversies began with a CNN report detailing past online remarks where Platner allegedly referred to himself as a communist and disparaged police. Subsequent reports unearthed additional posts where he appeared to minimize military sexual assault, questioned the tipping habits of Black individuals, and suggested intoxicated individuals bear responsibility if they find themselves in situations leading to rape.
Adding to the scrutiny, Platner posted a video to social media prior to the town hall, apologizing for a skull and crossbones tattoo. He claimed no prior knowledge of its association with Nazi symbolism and, in a public display, lifted his shirt to reveal a new Celtic knot tattoo covering the original design.
Platner’s candidacy for the US Senate seat, currently held by moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins, highlights an internal struggle within the Democratic Party. As Democrats navigate the post-Trump era, they are grappling with what constitutes a disqualifying factor for a candidate, particularly when that candidate aligns with progressive policy goals.
Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, suggested that voters might be willing to overlook personal controversies if a candidate can effectively advance their policy preferences. “Voters are willing to absorb a certain amount of negativity in a personal life of a candidate in order for it to advance their policy preferences,” Rottinghaus stated, adding that “partisan voters are willing to trade ideological proximity for some degree of scandalized candidates” if the candidate demonstrates electability.
For many on the left, Platner, a gravelly-voiced Marine, embodies the kind of authentic, working-class appeal they believe the Democratic Party needs. He has been drawing substantial crowds across Maine, campaigning on a platform that includes Medicare for All and raising the federal minimum wage.
However, others argue that Platner’s past comments and the tattoo controversy should be disqualifying, questioning how progressives would react if a Republican faced similar accusations. This debate mirrors broader discussions, including the muted response of some conservatives to antisemitic messages within a Young Republicans group chat.
Platner has secured the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders, who has stood by him, citing Platner’s military service and implying a “character assassination” campaign by the Democratic establishment. “There’s a young man who served his country in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he went through some really difficult experiences seeing friends of his killed in war,” Sanders said.
“And despite all of that, he had the courage to run for the United States Senate, to stand up to the powers that be, and to fight for the working class of this country. I personally think he is an excellent candidate.
I’m going to support him and look forward to him becoming the next senator in the state of Maine.”
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has voiced support for Maine Governor Janet Mills, who recently announced her bid. “We think that Janet Mills is the best candidate to retire Susan Collins. She’s a tested two-term governor and the people of Maine have an enormous amount of affection and respect for her,” Schumer commented.
Platner’s situation is not unique within the Democratic Party. Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, recently faced scrutiny over violent text messages sent in 2022.
Despite the controversy, Democrats have largely maintained support for Jones, denouncing the texts but arguing that voters should ultimately decide his fate, especially as early voting had already begun. State Senator Angelia Williams Graves, a long-time acquaintance of Jones, stated, “No matter what was in those text messages, I know that Jay Jones is not willing to sacrifice Virginians for Donald Trump.”
Introduced by his mother after a performance by a local singer-songwriter, Platner dedicated much of his town hall to discussing the importance of broadening the Democratic coalition. “I don’t care if you voted for Donald Trump, if you voted for Kamala Harris or you didn’t vote, you go around this state right now, you go ask any working person, do you think you work in an economic and political system that is built with your interest at heart, nobody says yes. Everybody knows that they are being robbed,” he asserted.
Echoing many of Sanders’ policy positions, Platner concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the race, adding, “Clearly they haven’t spent a lot of time around Marines.”