From Oyster Farmer to Senate Hopeful: A Look at Graham Platner's Journey

Graham Platner, a Maine resident and oyster farmer, is making waves in the Democratic primary for Senate. He recently addressed some controversial past social media posts, sparking conversations about growth and change. Platner, a veteran of the Army and Marines, served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He admitted that his time in the military left him feeling disillusioned, which influenced his online behavior. In a video apology, Platner expressed regret for his past comments. He acknowledged that some of his Reddit posts were offensive and not reflective of his current beliefs. Platner referred to himself as a "communist" and criticized police and rural white Americans in his posts. He attributed these remarks to a difficult period in his life, emphasizing that his views have evolved significantly since then. Platner assured voters that he is not a communist or socialist, despite his past statements. He owns a small business and values his community in Maine. He mentioned that his perspective shifted as he built a support network and felt less isolated. Platner urged people to judge him based on who he is today, not his past online activity. In other Reddit posts, Platner made controversial remarks about military sexual assault and substance use. He minimized the challenges faced by military members in reporting sexual assault and advised people to take responsibility for their actions. These comments, from 2013, have also come under scrutiny. Platner's campaign gained attention for his unique background as a veteran and oyster farmer. He received endorsements from prominent figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and several labor unions. However, Maine's Democratic Gov. Janet Mills recently entered the race, making the primary more competitive. The winner will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.