Maine Senate candidate says he’s not a Nazi amid tattoo controversy
Graham Platner has publicly stated that he is not a Nazi after controversy over his tattoo of a skull and crossbones on his chest.
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Graham Platner, a veteran oyster farmer from Maine who is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, is currently gaining national attention for his 2018 Reddit posts and his skull and crossbones tattoo, which is associated with the Nazi symbol.
When he launched his campaign in August, the 41-year-old former Marine and military veteran claimed to be a defender of the billionaire “oligarchy” and “corrupt politicians.” He raised $3.25 million in the first six weeks of his campaign, according to Reuters, and also secured the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont).
With less than two weeks until Election Day, here’s what you need to know about Platner.
Who is Graham Platner?
Platner was born and raised near Acadia National Park in northern Maine. He joined the U.S. Marines after high school and served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Maine Morning Star.
After serving in the military, Platner attended George Washington University on the GI Bill, then enrolled in the Army National Guard and served in Afghanistan.
After leaving the military, Mr. Plattner returned to Maine and worked at an oyster farm, which he now manages. In an interview with NBC News, Plattner said his experience in the military shaped his political views, which carried over into his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
“If we focus primarily on fighting for working-class values, fighting for policies that help working-class people, and focusing on taking back a lot of the power that has been consolidated within the politics of the kind of upper ruling class, I think if we stick to that, we can win,” Plattner said.
In an interview with Pod Save America earlier this week, Platner acknowledged and apologized for his past social media posts, saying he posted them at a dark time in his life after his last tour in Afghanistan in 2018.
The Democratic candidate also revealed a new tattoo on Instagram to cover up an old one, saying he was “appalled to learn that it closely resembles a Nazi symbol.”
Sanders reaffirmed his support for Platner despite the controversy, according to NBC News.
“He was a Marine and served four tours of duty,” Sanders said. “He saw his friends die. He left the war with PTSD, by his own admission, and received good treatment at the Veterans Administration and was able to start his life again.”
Contributor: Margie Cullen/USA TODAY Network – New England
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
