Graham Platner, a candidate for the Maine Senate, has issued a video apology for his past contentious social media posts, which included statements endorsing political violence, downplaying rape in the military, and criticizing police. Platner, a Maine business owner, is trying to distance himself from these divisive comments as he continues his insurgent campaign for the Senate seat previously held by Rep. Susan Collins. In the video statement, Platner attributes his past online views to his mental state post-military service, asserting that his views have since evolved.
He explained that the most offensive comments, which he now finds indefensible, were made during his time in Afghanistan and subsequent military service in 2011-2012. The comments, which have sparked significant media attention, include endorsements of political violence, minimalization of sexual assault, and disparaging remarks about police, some of which were from as recently as 2021. While Platner has acknowledged and apologized for these posts, the Republican National Committee dismissed his apology. The video statement also highlights Platner’s transition from viewing people negatively to recognizing their inherent goodness, emphasizing his positive transformation and hope for the future.
Platner, who’s been endorsed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, is hoping to defeat Senate Democrats’ preferred candidate Gov. Janet Mills and win the party’s nomination in Democrats’ best opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in the midterms. The comments, including messages from as recently as 2021, have gained widespread media attention in recent days. Politico reported Platner suggested political violence is necessary to affect social change in a 2018 post. The Washington Post reported Platner downplayed concerns about sexual assault in posts from 2013. CNN reported he labeled all White Americans in rural areas as racist and stupid in one 2020 post and said all cops are “bastards” in a 2021 post. The Bangor Daily News reported Platner asked why Black people “don’t tip” in a 2013 post.
The Reddit posts were deleted prior to announcing his campaign. Platner acknowledged making the posts and has apologized for them. Platner said in his video statement that he stopped posting on Reddit “around 2020 or 2021” when he returned to Maine. “I went from thinking that people were bad to knowing that people are good. I went from thinking that there was no hope to having nothing but hope — a hope that is rooted in the fact that it was in my community, here in Sullivan, Maine, that I got to come home and build a nice life,” he said.
Platner, who’s been endorsed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, is hoping to defeat Senate Democrats’ preferred candidate Gov. Janet Mills and win the party’s nomination in Democrats’ best opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in the midterms. Republicans quickly dismissed Platner’s video apology. “Five minutes in which Graham Platner blames HIS FELLOW SERVICEMEN for things he said,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said in a social media post.
Platner’s social media posts, including messages from as recently as 2021, have gained widespread media attention in recent days. The video message underscores his attempt to move on from the divisive online posts that threaten to derail his insurgent candidacy for Senate. The candidate for Maine Senate pegged the “offensive language” used in his past social media posts to his military service. He stated that these views were a reflection of his mental state following his return from military service in Afghanistan, and that his views have since evolved.
Despite the apology, Republican response remain critical, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue. The video serves as an attempt by Platner to reshape his narrative and distance himself from the controversial past comments. The broader implications of his apology and the ongoing political campaign will be closely watched as the midterms approach, with the potential for significant impact on the Senate race in Maine.