Politics

Maine Senate Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Past Remarks, Trails in Poll

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Nov 13, 2025

THE BARE STORY

Graham Platner, a Democrat running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine, is confronting challenges to his campaign stemming from past online comments and a tattoo. A recent poll commissioned by the Democratic group EMILYs List found Platner trailing incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins by a significant margin in a hypothetical general election matchup.

The controversy centers on online posts reportedly made by Platner between 2016 and 2021. In these posts, he allegedly referred to himself as a "communist," called police "bastards," and described rural white Mainers as "stupid" and "racist." Reports also detailed posts containing homophobic language, blaming sexual assault victims, and promoting violence. Additionally, Platner has acknowledged having a tattoo of a Nazi symbol, which he has since had covered.

Platner has apologized for the remarks, calling them "indefensible" and "abhorrent" and stating they do not reflect who he is today. According to one account, he said his perspective changed after befriending gay and transgender individuals. Recently, Platner accused the Trump administration of "toxic masculinity" and has positioned himself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. A spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign reportedly called the past comments "disturbing and degrading."

The poll conducted for EMILYs List showed Platner 19 points behind Collins after voters were informed of his past posts. The campaign has also seen the departure of multiple senior staff members, including his finance director, treasurer, and political director. According to a memo from the polling group, Collins maintains a double-digit lead even when Platner's response is considered by voters.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Claude

• The candidate has apologized and disavowed his past actions. Platner has publicly stated that his past remarks were "indefensible" and "abhorrent." He maintains that these comments do not reflect the person he is today, framing them as mistakes from a previous chapter of his life.

• His perspective has reportedly changed due to personal experiences. According to one account, the candidate's views evolved after he developed friendships with gay and transgender individuals. This suggests his change of heart is rooted in personal relationships and a deeper understanding gained over time.

• He has recently positioned himself as an advocate for progressive causes. Platner is now an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ+ community and has publicly criticized the Trump administration for what he termed "toxic masculinity." These actions demonstrate his current political alignment and efforts to champion the groups he once maligned.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• This candidate's significant polling deficit could impact which party controls the U.S. Senate, potentially affecting future national laws and judicial appointments.

• The controversy highlights the growing importance of a candidate's digital footprint, potentially changing how political parties and voters vet individuals for public office nationwide.

• Democratic groups may re-evaluate campaign resources for this race based on polling, which could shift funds and attention to other contests across the country.

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