U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire for old online comments appearing to endorse violence, dismiss military rape, and criticize police and rural areas, leading to apologies, a staff resignation, and mixed reactions from political figures.
U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, running for a Maine seat against incumbent Republican Susan Collins and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, is embroiled in controversy over resurfaced Reddit posts made between 2013 and 2021. These comments reportedly endorsed political violence, dismissed military rape, and criticized police officers and rural America. Platner has apologized, attributing the posts to PTSD, depression, and "crude humor" from his time in the Army, stating they do not reflect who he is today. While Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called the comments "offensive" and "not right," he deemed them "not disqualifying" for office. However, Platner's political director resigned, citing the "volume and nature" of the comments. The Collins campaign criticized the posts, highlighting internal Democratic rifts, while some state Democratic leaders continue to support Platner. Platner, an oyster farmer and progressive candidate backed by Bernie Sanders, also shared other old posts showing him encouraging veterans and criticizing military misogyny and homophobia.
