Graham Platner Deep Dive (Maine Senate Primary) - H3 After Dark #66

Graham Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer with no prior political experience, emerged as a leading Democratic candidate in Maine's Senate primary. His campaign successfully leveraged an anti-establishment, working-class image, quickly gaining national attention and endorsements from prominent progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. This strategy positioned him as a strong challenger to long-term Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Platner's launch video received 2.5 million views in its first 24 hours and his campaign raised $1 million in its first week. He was endorsed by Bernie Sanders on Labor Day and Elizabeth Warren. His platform includes Medicare for All, a billionaire tax, and comprehensive democracy reform.

Despite his rapid ascent, Platner's campaign was quickly mired in controversy. Revelations included misogynistic and victim-blaming comments from old Reddit posts, a 'Totenkorpf' (Death's Head) Nazi tattoo, and an active profile on the Kick app, where he allegedly exchanged sexual messages with multiple women while married. These scandals led to a mass exodus of high-level campaign staffers.

Reddit posts from 2013-2021 showed Platner calling himself a communist, 'all cops are bastards,' agreeing with posts calling rural white Americans 'racist and stupid,' and victim-blaming sexual assault victims. He also advocated for political violence. His 'Totenkorpf' tattoo, a symbol of the SS concentration camp guards, was revealed, which he claimed ignorance of, but a former political director stated he knew its meaning and referred to it as 'my Totenkopf.' The Wall Street Journal reported on his extramarital sexual messaging via Kick, an app popular with teens and young adults, with his profile still active and featuring a nearly nude photo.

Platner's campaign heavily relies on his 'working-class' persona as an oyster farmer and former harbor master. However, this image has been challenged by reports of his privileged background, including attendance at private schools, a wealthy architect grandfather, and a significant financial loan from his attorney father for his home, which he allegedly mischaracterized as a VA loan.

Platner attended Hotchkiss prep school and another private school. His grandfather was a famous architect. His father provided a $200,000 upfront loan for his home, which Platner claimed was a VA loan, but he is reportedly using VA funds to repay his father. His mother, who owns a restaurant, is his biggest oyster buyer, effectively propping up his farm.

The host, Kate, expresses frustration with the 'purity politics' often adopted by some on the far-left, who refuse to support candidates with any perceived flaws. She argues that while Platner's past is deeply problematic, strategic voting for the Democratic primary winner is essential to unseat Susan Collins and regain Senate control, even if it means supporting the 'lesser of two evils.'

Kate states, 'If he wins the primary, yes, vote for him, right? Let's turn the Senate over and hope that he really means what he says.' She criticizes those who 'sit out elections that they don't agree with,' emphasizing that 'Republicans always vote and if you don't they just win.'