Maine Senate Race Tests Democratic Limits: Can a Controversial Populist Unseat Susan Collins?
A growing number of voters in Maine appear willing to overlook a deeply troubling past as Graham Platner, a populist veteran, surges in the polls against established Democratic contender Governor Janet Mills, raising critical questions about the future of the Democratic Party and its ability to connect with a disillusioned base.
The race, once seemingly settled, was thrown into turmoil earlier this week following the revelation of a disturbing tattoo and a history of controversial online posts. Yet, despite – or perhaps because of – the uproar, Platner’s support has swelled, fueled by a potent anti-establishment sentiment and a rejection of traditional Democratic norms.
Platner’s path to prominence has been anything but conventional. The controversy erupted after video surfaced of him dancing in his underwear, revealing a prominent Nazi Totenkopf tattoo on his chest. This came on the heels of Mills’ Senate candidacy announcement and scrutiny of Platner’s past Reddit posts, which sparked debate over his views on gun rights and racial stereotypes. Initially, it appeared the scandal would derail his campaign against Republican Senator Susan Collins. However, new polling data tells a different story. Even after the fallout, Platner maintains a significant lead over Mills, who has a long history in Maine politics, having served in the state’s House of Representatives prior to her current role as Governor.
The veteran explained the tattoo as a youthful mistake, inked while drunk and on shore leave in Croatia at age 23, with the full significance not grasped for another 18 years. He has since taken steps to cover it up. The situation has sparked a larger debate within the Democratic Party: if the perceived failings of the current establishment – being seen as too polished, too pro-corporate, and too elitist – are the problem, could a “rugged outsider” be the solution?
Platner is not the first candidate to attempt to harness this energy on the left. Senator John Fetterman, who initially captivated voters with his unconventional style, now finds himself among the least popular Democrats in the Senate. Several of Fetterman’s former staffers have since joined Platner’s team. Fetterman’s shift towards a more conservative stance, particularly his strong support for Israel since October 7, has alienated many on the left and drawn criticism for aligning with figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He has also repeatedly sided with President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
The contrast between the two candidates is stark. While Fetterman was often criticized for lacking policy depth, Platner has presented detailed stances on issues ranging from Medicare for All to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Platner’s past as a contractor for Blackwater, a controversial private military company, has drawn criticism, but his staunch opposition to imperialism and genocide appears to have resonated with his base.
“Take a look at our policy platform,” a Platner campaign spokesperson stated, pushing back against comparisons to Fetterman. “Watch Graham speak on the stump. There’s a lot of substance. He takes questions across the state and listens to people’s hopes, fears, dreams, aspirations and questions, and gives them answers that are stuck in real time, not to mention an expansive policy platform online.”
Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something, which recruits and supports progressive candidates, believes the situation highlights a deeper issue within the Democratic Party. “Who gets permission to be seen as authentic? And who gets permission to be a little unkempt?” she asked. “That is something really interesting — who is deemed authentic and who can credibly speak as a voice of the people. This particular type of brawly white dude with tattoos who can speak the visual language of what we associate with the working class.” Litman cautioned against dismissing Platner, arguing that “To take glee in tearing him down as opposed to curiosity about what we can learn from that and bring to our candidate of choice, is why we lose.”
Both Platner and Fetterman have embraced a strategy of confronting criticism head-on. While Fetterman has shared posts supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, drawing condemnation from constituents and staff, Platner has shared older posts from his Reddit history, framing them as evidence of his evolution and commitment to issues like veterans’ mental health. “Something I’m proud of from my internet history? I spent a lot of time online encouraging other veterans to also get help through the VA,” Platner’s campaign posted on Facebook. “Because I knew even then that it was literally saving my life. Being honest and vulnerable helps others start down the same path.”
Despite the current momentum, Platner faces a challenging road ahead. Maine’s ranked-choice Democratic primary is still months away, and the general election against Collins is over a year out. The primary field is crowded with 12 other candidates, but the race is largely seen as a two-way contest between Platner and Mills, representing a fundamental choice for the future of the Democratic Party.
“I’m convinced because the people in Maine are convinced,” the Platner campaign spokesperson said. “After all this went down we had 500 people at a capacity town hall. We had 100 people outside waiting to hear him speak. I’m convinced, because we continue to hold town halls across the state that are at capacity in rural areas, in bigger cities, in smaller towns.”
The race is also being viewed as a test case for how Democrats will navigate the growing dissatisfaction within their base regarding the party’s long-standing support for Israel. While Platner has positioned himself as the most vocal critic of this status quo, Mills, a 77-year-old establishment figure, has made pro-Israel statements without outlining a clear campaign strategy on the issue. Last year, Mills’s campaign manager, Chelsea Brossard, received funding from AIPAC’s educational wing, and previously worked for a pro-Israel Congressman. The Mills campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Platner’s supporters believe that voters’ frustration with the Democratic Party’s policies on Israel and its tendency to favor establishment candidates will outweigh concerns about his past. He has already raised $3 million, drawn large crowds to rallies, and secured the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders.
The Platner campaign argues that his image shouldn’t be seen as a template for all Democratic candidates. “The Democratic Party should be running candidates to appeal to a broad, broad swath of the electorate in their home state, or in their district, or whatever they may look like,” the spokesperson said. “There’s not a one-size-fits-all rule book.”
