Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and Army and Marine veteran, has recently made headlines as he runs in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat in Maine. On Friday, he publicly apologized for a series of past social media posts that have drawn criticism. In these posts, Platner referred to himself as a “communist,” criticized law enforcement, and made derogatory comments about rural, white Americans, labeling them as “racist and stupid.”
In a heartfelt video shared on X, Platner addressed his past remarks, stating, “For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you don’t recognize, I am deeply sorry.” He acknowledged that his previous comments do not reflect who he is today.
Platner attributed his controversial posts to a state of “disillusionment” he experienced after returning from multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. “When I got back from Afghanistan in 2011, I stayed in the Army for another year. I got out in 2012. Some of the worst comments I made, the things that I think are least defensible, that I wouldn’t even try to defend, come from that time,” he explained.
He emphasized that his views have evolved since then, stating, “My language gets less crude, my thoughts and my feelings get a lot less kind of rough around the edges.” Platner also reflected on his feelings of disillusionment during that turbulent time in his life.
In some of his Reddit posts, Platner openly identified as a “communist,” saying, “I got older and became a communist,” and described himself as “a vegetable-growing, psychedelics-taking, socialist these days.” He expressed a significant shift in his beliefs, stating, “After the war, I’ve pretty much stopped believing in any of the patriotic nonsense that got me there in the first place.”
In an interview with CNN, Platner reassured voters of his current stance: “I’m not a communist. I’m not a socialist. I own a small business. I’m a Marine Corps veteran.” He sought to distance himself from his past while highlighting his growth and transformation.
Platner's past comments also included harsh criticisms of law enforcement. In one post, he infamously stated, “Bastards. Cops are bastards. All of them, in fact.” Additionally, he commented on the racial dynamics in rural America, saying, “Living in white rural America, I’m afraid to tell you they actually are” when responding to a user’s claim about white Americans not being as racist as portrayed.
In his apology video, Platner acknowledged that his views have changed significantly over the years. He noted that he has built a supportive community in Maine and feels less isolated than before. “I was in different places that I’m not in now... I am very proud of the person I am today,” he stated.
Further scrutiny of Platner’s past revealed other contentious statements. In 2013, he minimized the challenges military members face regarding sexual assault reporting. He controversially stated that anyone who believes the military is purposefully covering up sexual assault is “clearly both an idiot and junior enough in rank or life experience to think it matters.”
In another post, he suggested that individuals need to take personal responsibility in avoiding compromising situations, asserting that “if you don’t want to be in a compromising situation, act like an adult for f---s sake.” These comments have sparked considerable backlash, illustrating the complexities of his past views.
Graham Platner launched his campaign for Senate in August, quickly gaining attention as a veteran and oyster farmer entering politics for the first time. His campaign has received endorsements from high-profile figures, including progressive icon Senator Bernie Sanders and various labor unions across Maine.
However, the political landscape has become more competitive with the recent announcement of Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills also entering the Senate race. This development sets the stage for a challenging primary, as the winner will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election.
