Graham Platner, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Maine with a Nazi tattoo and a history of offensive comments, won 72 per cent of the vote in the primary, driven by strong support from progressive women. Political commentator Barbara Kay, writing from a vacation in Maine, describes the phenomenon as a troubling embrace of a candidate with a controversial personal history.
Platner's Background and Controversies
Platner, described by Andrew Stiles of the Washington Free Beacon as "a bearded scumbag with a Nazi tattoo and a vanity oyster farm," has faced numerous allegations. These include fantasizing about raping burglars, admitting to masturbating in porta-potties, and making misogynistic and racist social media posts. Despite this, he secured the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.
According to Kay, the key question is not how Platner rose from his personal "swamp," but how that swamp fueled his ascent. She argues that progressive white women saw nothing seriously objectionable in his behavior, citing a 2024 Gallup poll showing the partisan gap between young men and women has nearly doubled in 25 years among 18-29-year-olds.
Progressive Women's Support
Kay notes that these women are swelling the leftward voting trend among educated progressive white women, who are more likely to vote and participate in social movements than their male peers, despite being less politically literate. This support translated into endorsements from high-profile female politicians like Senator Elizabeth Warren, who called Platner a "fighter" and the "real deal" with "the grit to go against the grain" even after revelations of his past comments.
Kay suggests that the Democratic Party's desire to achieve a Senate majority and the promise of a Trump impeachment overrides previous feminist principles. She points to a CNN interview where #MeToo reporter Jodi Kantor downplayed Platner's allegations, contrasting them with those against Trump and claiming they were mostly made in the context of consensual relationships.
Impact and Implications
The primary result highlights a shifting political landscape where progressive women prioritize electoral victory over condemning past misconduct. Kay concludes that this embrace of Platner reflects a broader trend among educated progressive women, who are driving leftward voting patterns but may overlook troubling personal histories in candidates.
