Graham Platner, anti-Israel progressive, sews up Democratic Senate nomination in Maine

Graham Platner, a progressive candidate known for his anti-Israel stance, has secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine, setting up a challenge against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. News outlets projected Platner's victory shortly after polls closed, with only a fraction of votes counted.

The path to nomination was not without significant controversy. Platner's primary opponent, Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in late April due to financial constraints, effectively clearing the way for Platner. However, the final vote count indicated that a portion of Democratic voters remained hesitant, with Mills garnering about one-fifth of the votes counted in the initial tally. A notable controversy involved the revelation of a Nazi Totenkopf tattoo Platner had for nearly two decades, which he claimed he did not recognize as a Nazi symbol.

Platner's victory positions him as a standard-bearer for the anti-Israel shift within the Democratic party, a dynamic that complicates the race in a narrowly divided Senate. His campaign has drawn scrutiny over his characterization of donations to Collins from the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and faced allegations of misconduct toward women, which he has denied. He stated he had been a "far from perfect boyfriend" during certain periods but refuted claims of misconduct.

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I’m humbled and proud to officially be your Democratic nominee for the US Senate to take on Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. Together, we will win this seat back for working Mainers. Thank you, Maine.

Platner expressed his gratitude on Twitter, tweeting, "I’m humbled and proud to officially be your Democratic nominee for the US Senate to take on Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. Together, we will win this seat back for working Mainers. Thank you, Maine."

Now, Democratic leaders face the delicate task of rallying behind Platner, a candidate who has generated significant internal debate. The Republican Jewish Coalition has already called for accountability, stating, "Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America, and every Senate Democrat propping up Platner’s campaign, should be ashamed."

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Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America, and every Senate Democrat propping up Platner’s campaign, should be ashamed.