Democratic voters in Maine head to the polls Tuesday to select their nominee for the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Graham Platner remains the frontrunner despite multiple controversies surrounding his past.
The primary comes after weeks of national attention on allegations against Platner, a 41-year-old Marine veteran and oyster farmer. These include a Totenkopf tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism, resurfaced online comments, and claims of abusive behavior from former partners. Former campaign staffer Genevieve McDonald detailed her concerns in a Washington Post op-ed published Monday. She said Platner had described the tattoo as a “military thing” and alleged he knew its meaning, contradicting his prior statements. Platner maintains strong support among many Maine voters focused on his positions on economic issues and working-class representation. National Democrats including Sen. John Fetterman have criticized him, while others like Rep. Ro Khanna have continued to back the candidate. Platner is expected to secure the nomination, setting up a general election contest in November.
