SouthernWorldwide.com – Top Democratic officials and lawmakers are distancing themselves from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner due to his past controversies and online activities.
Platner’s rise to the forefront of the Democratic ticket in Maine was not aligned with the party establishment in Washington, D.C. Following Governor Janet Mills’ withdrawal from the race, questions have intensified regarding his suitability to challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins, a Republican.
These concerns are largely fueled by a series of scandals that have emerged consistently, including the discovery of a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol on his chest and inflammatory online posts.
Some within the Democratic Party have voiced concerns that these issues are contributing to a “civil war” between the party’s moderate and progressive factions.
“The main race really demonstrates the civil war that’s happening within the Democratic Party, and there are a lot of Democrats, moderate Democrats like myself, who will not cry tears should we lose Maine,” stated DeRosa. “I mean, that would be a pickup to begin with.”
Senate Democrats consider Maine a highly promising opportunity for a pickup in the 2026 midterm elections as they aim to regain control of the Senate.
Platner was not the initial choice of party leaders. However, since entering the race last year, he has cultivated a growing national profile, which reached a significant milestone when he was featured on the cover of Time magazine earlier this month.
Despite this, his previously unearthed Reddit posts, which include controversial remarks about a soldier killed by the Taliban and lewd personal confessions, have drawn sharp criticism from both the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and Democrats.
“I think when we’re talking about moral clarity and what we want to see from Democrats, I think he is an issue,” commented Egbewole.
Platner’s national profile began to face scrutiny when a video of him dancing shirtless circulated last year.
On his chest was a tattoo of a skull and crossbones, a symbol associated with Nazi iconography known as a totenkopf, or death’s head. At the time, Platner claimed ignorance of its meaning.
“It was not until I started hearing from reporters and D.C. insiders that I realized this tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol,” Platner explained. “I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that — and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed.”
Now, Democrats are expressing more open criticism of the tattoo.
“I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying,” Representative Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts, told CNN. “I hope Maine voters agree with me. I think it would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner’s brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country.”
Michael LaRosa, a former spokesperson for former first lady Jill Biden, praised Auchincloss for his “actual guts” in calling for a stronger candidate in the race.
When questioned by CNN about a potential rise in antisemitism within his party, Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, responded affirmatively and specifically mentioned Platner as an example.
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“I mean, the guy that’s going to win the primary in Maine … has a Nazi tattoo on his chest, and that’s no problem for a lot of voters,” Fetterman stated. “So I don’t know why. That’s crazy.”
