Democrat congressman slams Graham Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo as 'disqualifying'
Maine Senate Race Heats Up as Massachusetts Lawmaker Criticizes Controversial Candidate
In a rare public showdown, U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts, called out Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner for a Nazi‑linked tattoo that has haunted the campaign for months. The comments were made on Monday during a CNN interview, and they mark the first time an elected Democrat has openly urged the Maine party to drop Platner from the ballot.
“I find that the tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying,” Auchincloss said. “I hope Maine voters agree with me.” He added that the candidate’s “brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country,” warning that a party association with such imagery could damage its standing.
The controversy centers on a skull-and-crossbones design, known as a “totenkopf,” that Platner received in 2007 while serving in the U.S. Army in Croatia. The tattoo has since become a symbol of the candidate’s past, as he had it covered up earlier this year after backlash from voters and political observers. In addition to the visual mark, Platner’s campaign has been mired in a string of offensive Reddit posts dating back nearly a decade, in which the former Marine veteran made remarks that many viewers found hateful or harassing.
Despite Platner’s repeated claims that he was unaware of the tattoo’s Nazi ties, investigative reports have shown that he was well‑informed about the symbol’s history. The revelation has prompted a quiet but growing backlash among Maine’s Democratic leadership, with most officials choosing not to speak publicly. Only a handful of party leaders – including Auchincloss, who first urged Platner’s withdrawal in October 2025 – have taken a stand.
In a separate tweet on Tuesday, Auchincloss clarified his stance regarding the Republican incumbent, Senator Susan Collins. “Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history,” he wrote. “Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers.”
The debate over Platner’s candidacy has unfolded against a backdrop of broader national attention. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had backed former Governor Janet Mills’ unsuccessful primary bid, issued a lukewarm endorsement for Platner after Mills withdrew. Meanwhile, progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Vice President and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have defended the candidate, with Warren describing him as a “kind of man.”
The controversy is especially poignant in Maine, where the Senate seat is currently held by the Republican Collins and is widely considered a battleground in the coming November election. As Democrats seek to unseat the incumbent, the issue of Platner’s tattoo could become a focal point for voters who value the party’s image and values.
The Platner campaign, which has yet to release a statement in response to the latest criticism, remains officially silent. Campaign officials declined to comment when asked for a response to Auchincloss’s rebuke.
The fallout from the controversy remains to be seen. While the tattoo and online posts have generated significant media attention, many voters are still undecided about their impact on the race. As the campaign season progresses, the Democratic Party in Maine faces a difficult choice: to either distance itself from Platner and risk losing a candidate with significant fundraising and grassroots support, or to stand by the nominee and risk alienating moderate voters who view the tattoo as a sign of extremist sympathy.
Only time will tell how the debate will shape the final election. For now, the story sits at the center of a national conversation about the intersection of personal history, political candidacy, and the evolving standards of party representation.
