Key facts
- Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate in Maine on a progressive-populist platform.
- Platner's campaign gained significant support, leading to the withdrawal of rival Janet Mills.
- Allegations have surfaced regarding Platner's past, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi SS insignia.
- Platner has also been accused of sexual misconduct and abusive behavior towards women.
- The race against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins is now a tossup.
The U.S. Senate race in Maine has become a focal point for Democrats as candidate Graham Platner faces mounting scrutiny over past allegations. Platner, running on a progressive-populist platform, initially surged in popularity, leading to the withdrawal of Democratic Governor Janet Mills from the race. However, revelations about Platner's past, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi SS insignia and accusations of sexual misconduct and abusive behavior from former partners, have complicated his candidacy.
Platner's campaign gained significant momentum, attracting over $3.2 million in grassroots donations and leading Mills by substantial margins in early polls. His endorsement by Sen. Bernie Sanders further bolstered his progressive appeal. However, the emergence of a former girlfriend's allegations of physical abuse and threats, alongside claims that his tattoo bore a resemblance to the SS Totenkopf symbol, have cast a shadow over his campaign.
Critics argue that prominent progressives like Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been too dismissive of the charges against Platner, drawing parallels to the moral compromises seen with figures like Donald Trump and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The author suggests that this "double standard" undermines Democrats' moral authority and that the differences between Platner and other controversial figures are merely matters of degree.
Despite the controversies, Platner has consistently led in polls against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. However, recent polls conducted after the revelations about his past relationships and text messages indicate the race has become a tossup, highlighting the significant impact of the allegations on the election's outcome.