PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Old online comments by a Maine U.S. Senate candidate that appeared to endorse political violence, deny rape in the military and criticize police and rural America are false but do not disqualify him from office. Democratic Party explain.
Graham Plattner is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine that has been held by Republicans Susan Collins He has faced stiff competition for the nomination since 1997, which also includes Democratic Maine Gov. Janet MillsAnnounced his candidacy last week.
CNN first reported last week that Plattner's old Reddit posts had been deleted since entering the Senate race, and multiple outlets followed suit with separate disclosures of the controversial posts. The posts were made between 2013 and 2021. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said during an appearance on CNN on Sunday that he did not find the posts “disqualifying,” but did say they were “incorrect” and “offensive,” and that he was pleased Platner apologized for the posts.
“I don't think they're disqualifying, but they're certainly not right,” Martin said on CNN's State of the Union. “I'm glad he apologized for them. They were indefensible, they were hurtful, they were disrespectful.”
Plattner apologized for his comments in a video posted to social media on Friday. He said the posts were made after leaving the Army in 2012, adding that he “still retains the crude humor, dark feelings and offensive language that were hallmarks of my time in the infantry.” He also said he was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression at the time.
“I'm sorry about that. But know that it's not a reflection of who I am. I don't want you to judge me for the stupidest thing I've ever written on the internet. I want people to judge me for who I am today,” Plattner said.
In the days following his apology, Plattner posted more of his previous posts on Reddit, highlighting how much time he spent online encouraging other veterans to seek help. He has also made other Reddit posts criticizing homophobia and misogyny in the military. A post he shared on Monday said he was dismayed by “rampant misogyny and weirdness” in the Marine Corps, where he also served.
Plattner, an oyster farmer in his first attempt at public office, is building a progressive movement through an active social media presence. He has the support of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called Plattner a stronger candidate for the seat than Mills.
The Mills campaign did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
The Collins campaign said in a statement Friday that Plattner's old posts were “disparaging to everyone, from people in rural areas to police officers” and people with disabilities. The campaign also said in a statement that the controversy over the posts highlighted divisions between different factions of the Democratic Party.
But some Democratic leaders in the state said they would continue to support Platner after the posts came to light.
“I think it has to do with Graham's authenticity, that's what's going to happen,” said Karen Heck, the former mayor of Waterville.
Meanwhile, Plattner's political director resigned over news of the old Reddit post.
“While I sympathize with Graham’s experience and respect his personal history and growth, I cannot ignore the number and nature of his past comments, many of which were made as an adult rather than a young person,” wrote Genevieve L. McDonald, who worked on the campaign for several months. “I was not aware of these statements when I agreed to run, and I cannot support the statements or values of a candidate for U.S. Senate.”
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Krusey reported from Providence, Rhode Island.