Graham Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday despite facing weeks of damaging controversies. The progressive-backed candidate defeated two longshot opponents to earn the right to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in November’s midterm elections. Platner received endorsements from high-profile progressives including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representative Ro Khanna. The victory came as multiple scandals threatened to derail his campaign in the final stretch before primary day.
The race between Platner and Collins will help determine control of the Senate’s narrow Republican majority. Maine, a left-leaning state, represents a crucial pickup opportunity for Democrats seeking to regain the upper chamber. Platner topped two-term Democratic Governor Janet Mills, whose name remained on the ballot even after she suspended her campaign earlier this spring. Mills, who had backing from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, withdrew after trailing significantly in both fundraising and polling.
Candidate faces multiple allegations during final campaign weeks
The past month proved difficult for Platner as several controversies emerged. Inflammatory comments he made on Reddit years ago resurfaced last fall, shortly after he launched his Senate campaign. A chest tattoo featuring a skull and crossbones design, which resembled a Nazi symbol, also drew scrutiny. Platner stated he got the tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines in Croatia and covered it up after learning of its resemblance to Nazi imagery.
More recent allegations included reports that Platner exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women while married. Last week, former girlfriends came forward with accusations describing rape fantasies, heavy drinking and violent episodes. Platner has denied the allegations of violence, calling them politically motivated and false. A former high-level campaign staffer wrote in an opinion piece published the day before the primary that Platner “is not someone who would be good for Maine or for the country.”
Progressive allies maintain support for embattled candidate
Despite the mounting controversies, none of Platner’s Democratic endorsers rescinded their support. Representative Khanna, who organized a rally with Platner days before the primary, addressed concerns about the allegations. He acknowledged the relationships described were toxic and volatile, with no excuse for that behavior. Khanna said Platner attributed his past actions to a dark period following two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantryman, where he witnessed violence and death.
Platner has been open about his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from three tours in Iraq with the Marines and one tour in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard. At a Friday rally near his hometown in Down East Maine, Platner thanked voters for their continued support. He referenced the difficult journey through PTSD, recovery and personal growth that became public during the campaign. “When politically motivated, serious and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” Platner told supporters.
Republican opposition targets candidate’s background and character
Republican groups launched aggressive attacks on Platner in the weeks leading up to the primary. A super PAC aligned with Collins ran advertisements highlighting the multiple controversies. The National Republican Senatorial Committee criticized what they called contradictions in Platner’s public image, contrasting his populist messaging about growing up in Maine with claims his parents sent him to boarding school in Connecticut and purchased a house for him.
- The Republican National Committee pointed to specific allegations about violent statements attributed to Platner
- Collins called the latest allegations troubling and said Platner has many questions to answer
- GOP strategists view the controversies as potentially fatal to Democratic hopes of flipping the seat
- Party officials questioned whether Platner became damaged goods despite his fundraising success
Senator Collins returned to Maine after casting her 10,000th consecutive vote in the Senate, a milestone reached during a busy week on Capitol Hill. When asked about the allegations facing her Democratic challenger, Collins responded that the stories were troubling and Platner needed to provide answers. The moderate Republican has represented Maine in the Senate for five terms and is seeking a sixth six-year term.
Maine voters split on impact of candidate’s personal history
Voters interviewed at campaign events expressed divided opinions about whether the controversies would affect their voting decisions. Jeff from Waterboro, who identified as conservative, said Platner has too much damage and questioned whether Democrats could win with him as their nominee. Ellen from Acton, a registered Republican, acknowledged Platner is not perfect but expressed confidence he would do a good job if elected.
Platner’s campaign has drawn large crowds and built a substantial fundraising operation despite the negative headlines. His economically populist platform targets corporate influences and advocates for working-class issues, including proposals to tax billionaires and focus government policy on ordinary workers. Representative Khanna emphasized that Democrats from Schumer to Sanders remain unified around the goal of defeating Collins, regardless of the controversies surrounding Platner.
Collins presents formidable challenge for Democratic challenger
Defeating Collins will require overcoming her strong electoral history in Maine. Six years ago, public polling suggested the senator faced potential defeat, but she won re-election by nine percentage points over Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon. Collins has built a reputation as a moderate willing to break with her party, including voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol attack. She also opposed the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth early last year.
However, Collins faces criticism from progressives for her 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. That confirmation helped create the conservative majority that eventually overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. The abortion issue remains a key focus for Democrats hoping to motivate voters in the midterm elections. Platner’s team believes his populist economic message combined with social issues like abortion rights can overcome Collins’ moderate image and electoral track record in the state.
