Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is navigating a turbulent campaign, addressing public scrutiny over a tattoo he recently covered—which resembled a Nazi symbol—and controversial online statements he attributed to post-military service struggles and the pressures of political opposition.
The race for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat has taken a dramatic turn as Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate, finds himself at the center of multiple controversies. Platner, an oyster farmer and military veteran, recently addressed a tattoo on his chest that bore a striking resemblance to a Nazi symbol, alongside the resurfacing of contentious online comments he made years ago. These events have cast a shadow over his progressive campaign, prompting both apologies and explanations from the first-time political hopeful.
The Controversial Tattoo: A Symbol Covered, Not Forgotten
The focal point of recent scrutiny is a skull and crossbones tattoo Platner obtained nearly two decades ago. He stated he got the tattoo in 2007 while serving in the Marine Corps, during a night of drinking on leave in Croatia. Platner maintained that he was unaware until recently that the image was widely associated with Nazi police, specifically resembling the Totenkopf, or “death’s head,” adopted by Hitler’s infamous Schutzstaffel (SS) unit, responsible for atrocities during World War II.
Initially, Platner’s campaign suggested he would pursue removal, but he ultimately opted to cover the tattoo with new imagery. He explained this decision to the Associated Press, citing limited tattoo removal options in rural Maine and a desire to have the controversial symbol off his body swiftly. He later revealed the new tattoo, a Celtic knot with dogs, in an Instagram video, stating, “My wife, Amy, and I have two wonderful dogs that we love a lot. This far more represents who I am now than even the skull and crossbones did.”
Platner emphasized that the tattoo had never been questioned over two decades, even during his enlistment in the Army, which requires examination for hate symbols, or when he underwent a full background check for a security clearance to join the ambassador to Afghanistan’s security detail. In an interview with “Pod Save America,” he strongly denied being a “secret Nazi” and affirmed his lifelong opposition to Nazism.
Resurfaced Online Statements and Apologies
The tattoo controversy emerged shortly after the discovery of Platner’s now-deleted online statements, primarily from old Reddit posts. These comments included dismissive remarks about military sexual assaults, questioning black patrons’ gratuity habits, and criticizing police officers and rural Americans. In some posts, he reportedly called himself a “communist” and police officers “bastards,” and agreed that rural white Americans are “racist” and “stupid.”
Platner issued an apology for these comments, explaining they were made after he left the Army in 2012, a period when he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. He stated that many of the least defensible comments originated from a time when he was “disillusioned” after returning from Afghanistan in 2011. Platner also mentioned that he has since received treatment for what he described as undiagnosed PTSD, as reported by NBC News.
In his apology, Platner conveyed, “I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today.” He views confronting his past as a reflection of the lessons he has learned on a difficult life journey, stating to the Associated Press, “I don’t look at this as a liability… I look at this as is a life that i have lived, a journey that has been difficult, that has been full of struggle, that has also gotten me to where i am today. and i’m very proud of who i am.”
Political Ramifications and Campaign Landscape
Despite calls for him to withdraw from the race, Platner has resisted, maintaining that these controversies are the result of “the establishment” attempting to derail his progressive campaign. He argued that focusing on his past distracts from critical issues like Medicare for all, raising taxes on the wealthy, and the material struggles of Mainers, a point he made in an Instagram video. His campaign has the backing of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, who has described Platner as a stronger candidate for the Senate seat than two-term Governor Janet Mills.
Sanders defended Platner, attributing his past remarks to a “dark period” and commending his apologies. Similarly, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, while condemning the Reddit posts as “hurtful” and “offensive,” told CNN that he did not consider them “disqualifying.” Martin expressed belief in Platner’s contrition and the idea of second chances for individuals who acknowledge and learn from past mistakes.
Platner’s campaign is challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins, who has held the Senate seat for 30 years. The Democratic primary field is competitive, with Governor Janet Mills also entering the race. Mills, 77, has received the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who expressed confidence in her ability to unseat Collins. The divergent endorsements highlight a split within the Democratic party regarding the optimal candidate to flip this crucial seat in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
