PORTLAND, Maine — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner faced renewed scrutiny on Tuesday after additional past online posts and comments resurfaced in the final weeks of Maine’s closely watched Senate race, prompting criticism from Republicans and renewed questions about his public record.
The latest controversy followed reports by several media outlets highlighting archived Reddit posts and social media activity linked to Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer who emerged this year as the leading Democratic challenger to Republican Senator Susan Collins. Some of the posts contained crude language, inflammatory remarks and references to sexual topics, according to published reports.
Platner has previously acknowledged operating under the online pseudonym cited in the reports and said many of the comments were intended as “trolling” or “shit-posting” rather than serious statements. In remarks reported earlier this month, he said he regretted some of the posts and described portions of his online history as immature and offensive.
“I’ve said publicly that there are things from my past that I regret,” Platner said in earlier campaign comments carried by media outlets. “Those posts were not reflective of who I am today.”
Republicans and allied political groups intensified their criticism this week after additional posts circulated online. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and pro-Collins groups have used the controversy in advertising and campaign messaging targeting Platner ahead of the November election.
The Maine Senate contest has drawn national attention because Democrats view Collins’ seat as one of their most competitive pickup opportunities in 2026. Platner became the presumptive Democratic nominee after Governor Janet Mills suspended her Senate campaign in April, citing fundraising challenges.
Platner’s candidacy has faced repeated controversy over past online statements and a tattoo he has said resembled Nazi imagery before later being covered. Some Democratic leaders and progressive allies, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have nonetheless endorsed him, arguing voters are more focused on economic issues and anti-establishment politics.
Collins’ campaign did not immediately issue new comments on Tuesday regarding the latest reports. Platner’s campaign has continued public appearances in Maine, though details surrounding any additional response from the candidate remained unclear as of Tuesday evening.
