(NewsNation) — Graham Platner has garnered attention and support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party since launching his bid for Senate in August.
His platform calls for reforming campaign finance and immigration laws, breaking up monopolies, reigning in government surveillance, strengthening unions and ending “pointless wars” the U.S. is involved in.
Who is Graham Platner?
Graham Platner is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine that has been held by Republican Susan Collins since 1997. He faces a crowded field for the nomination that also includes Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who announced her candidacy last week.
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Platner is an oyster farmer making his first attempt at public office and is running a progressive campaign with an aggressive social media presence. He has the backing of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has described Platner as a stronger candidate for the seat than Mills.
He was born in Blue Hill, Maine, and raised in the coastal towns of Ellsworth and Sullivan.
Graham Platner’s military service
Platner enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after graduating from high school in 2003. He served eight years in the military, including three combat tours in Iraq. He served an additional tour in the war in Afghanistan.
What did Graham Platner post on Reddit?
CNN first reported last week on old Reddit posts made by Platner that he had deleted since entering the Senate race, and several media outlets followed, revealing separate controversial posts. The posts were made between 2013 to 2021.
Platner has apologized for the comments in a video he posted Friday on social media. He said the posts were made after leaving the Army in 2012, adding he “still had the crude humor, the dark, dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.” He also said that he was struggling then with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
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“I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am. I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today,” Platner said.
In the days since his apology, Platner has posted more of his old Reddit posts, highlighting that he spent a lot of time online encouraging other veterans to get help. He also released additional Reddit posts showing him criticizing homophobia and misogyny in the military. One post he shared Monday stated that he was disillusioned by “rampant misogyny and weirdness” in the Marines, which he also served in.
Graham Platner tattoo
Platner has addressed claims he has a “hidden Nazi tattoo” on his chest based on a family video shared online.
The Senate Republicans’ campaign arm has accused Platner of donning a “Nazi tattoo.” The tattoo resembles a “Totenkopf,” which is German for “death’s head” and was a symbol adopted by Adolf Hitler’s SS troops in Nazi Germany, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s website.
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While a general skull and crossbones is not considered a hate symbol, the Totenkopf has been used by neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups and is considered a hate symbol.
“I am not a secret Nazi,” Platten told “Pod Save America’s” Tommy Vietor, referencing since-deleted Reddit posts in which he described himself as a “communist” and called police officers “bastards.” “I think you can pretty much figure out where I stand on Nazism and antisemitism and racism in general.”
“I would say a lifelong opponent,” he added.
Platner said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007, when he was in his 20s and in the Marine Corps. It happened during a night of drinking while he was on leave in Croatia, he said, adding he was unaware until recently that the image had been associated with Nazi police.
He said he had never been questioned about the tattoo’s connections to Nazi symbols in the 20 years he has had it. He said it was there when he enlisted in the Army, which requires an examination for tattoos of hate symbols.
Platner said Wednesday the tattoo had been covered.
The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate The Hill contributed to this report.
