Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Addresses Controversial Past Online Comments

Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has addressed and apologized for controversial comments he made on Reddit between 2010 and 2021. Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and oyster farmer, confirmed that the now-deleted posts were his and stated that they do not reflect his current beliefs.

In a 2018 post, Platner suggested that combating fascism might require armed resistance, writing, "If people expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history." He has since expressed regret for such statements, attributing them to a period of personal struggle following his military service in the Middle East. Platner explained that he was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and feelings of alienation during that time.

Regarding a 2021 post where he described himself as a "communist," Platner clarified that he does not identify as such. He characterized the comment as a facetious response to anticipated political labeling due to his populist views. "I'm a small business owner and a Marine Corps Veteran. I'm the harbormaster... I'm not a communist," he stated.

Platner also addressed past comments that downplayed concerns about sexual assault in the military. He acknowledged that his previous remarks were uninformed and that he now recognizes the military's history of covering up such incidents. "I was speaking on it like I knew what I was talking about when I so very clearly didn't," he admitted.

In a video posted on social media, Platner expressed remorse for his past language and emphasized his personal growth since making those comments. He highlighted his journey from disillusionment to finding community and purpose, stating, "While I won't defend things I said in the past, I will just say that if it wasn't for that entire journey, I would not be who I am today, and I'm incredibly proud of who I am today."

Platner is currently competing in the Democratic primary against Governor Janet Mills for the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming election.