Controversy Surrounds Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner

Questions linger about how much Democrats will tolerate to continue supporting Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. Platner’s past includes possessing a Nazi-related tattoo, making controversial remarks online about rape victims in 2013, and making derogatory comments about rural Americans in 2020. In 2019, he even posted disparaging remarks about U.S. Army Pfc. Ted Daniels, a soldier injured in Afghanistan, expressing support for the Taliban.

Platner claims he has overcome a dark period in his life and is proud of who he has become. However, a recent revelation raises more questions. Platner’s wife reportedly informed campaign staff of his inappropriate behavior, including sending explicit messages to multiple women last year on the app Kik. This raises questions about the timeframe of Platner’s supposed dark period.

A New York Times article further scrutinizes Platner’s history, providing new insights that are less than flattering. Though the piece adopts a softer tone, its publication indicates that there are serious concerns. The Times spoke with Lyndsey Fifield, a Virginia conservative and former partner of Platner, who alleges that Platner was fully aware of the Nazi origins of his tattoo. According to Fifield, Platner and his unit selected the tattoo deliberately because of its symbolism relating to the Nazi Schutzstaffel (S.S.) unit.

This contradicts Platner’s previous account given in October 2021, explaining that the tattoo was chosen for aesthetics while on leave. In August of the same year, Fifield had already shared knowledge of the tattoo with friends, suggesting Platner knew its significance all along.

Fifield also recounts her experiences with Platner, characterizing his behavior as unsettling and, at times, physically aggressive. She recalls instances of being forcibly grabbed, yanked from a cab during an argument, and restricted in a room. While the New York Times labels this as ‘unsettling behavior,’ others might view these actions as abusive.

In response to the allegations, Platner admitted to sometimes self-medicating with alcohol and acknowledged he was not a perfect partner, attributing these behaviors to the same ‘dark period.’

Platner recently met with Democratic senators and assured them no further damaging stories exist. However, following the New York Times article, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the difference between marital issues and allegations of sexual assault, leading Platner to deny any credible assault allegations were forthcoming.

The controversy surrounding Platner, including his Nazi tattoo and other troubling claims, raises questions about the Democratic Party’s stance. As the primary looms, the extent to which Democrats will continue to support Platner to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins remains uncertain.