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His controversies include a Nazi tattoo. Why Democrats are still standing by Senate candidate Graham Platner

Platner won the Democratic Senate primary as voters weighed his controversies against his appeal to the party's base.

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Outlet credibilityCbcNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
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Jun 11, 2026
tl;dr

Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary despite controversies over a tattoo, past online comments and allegations about his conduct toward women. The article examines why many Democratic voters continue to support him as he prepares to face Sen. Susan Collins.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
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NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Platner in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Platner’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Democratic Senate candidate who won Maine's primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator and Platner's opponent in the general election

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

U.S. president, referenced through his administration

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Independent senator who supports Platner

Maine governor and former Democratic Senate primary rival

ALSO MENTIONED  Christy Selzer, Democratic strategist quoted about Platner and Collins; Julie Roginsky, Democratic strategist commenting on Platner and Collins

Part of a bigger story

19 OUTLETS
Graham Platner Wins Maine Democratic Senate Nomination

Outlets agree Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary and became the party’s Senate nominee. Left-leaning outlets cast the win as a voter-driven demand for change and emphasize Platner’s policy agenda. Center outlets pair Trump’s accusation of Democratic hypocrisy with scrutiny of his own conduct, while some also examine Democrats’ standards for candidates. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Platner’s controversies and allegations, often treating Democratic support for him as a test of the party’s standards or direction.

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