Story perspectives

Maine Dem Nominee Platton Wins, Faces Hamas Controversy

5/3/2026

Summary

Graham Platton Wins Nomination

Graham Platton won Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination on April 30, 2026.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pledged to back Platton against Susan Collins.
Platton, an oyster farmer with a Totenkopf tattoo, praised a 2014 Hamas attack and said Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
The Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Democratic Council of America, Maine’s Jewish federation, and J Street leader Steven Koltai voiced concern over Platton’s statements.

Summary

Mills Withdraws

Janet Mills (Democrat) withdrew from Maine Senate race on April 30, 2026, leaving Graham Platner (Democratic nominee) as the only candidate.
Mary Peltola (“recruit”) and Sherrod Brown (Senator) were asked if they would endorse or distance themselves from Graham Platner after Mills’s exit.
Nick Puglia (National Republican Recruitment Council (NRRC) Press Secretary) urged Mary Peltola and Sherrod Brown to disavow Graham Platner, saying failure could damage the Maine Democratic brand.

History

Historical Context

After the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the Senate held hearings where ADL director Abraham Foxman warned of 1,500 anti-Semitic incidents—a 30% rise—prompting calls for stricter hate-crime laws. The 2026 Maine Senate nomination of Graham Platton, whose Hamas-praising comments angered the ADL, Schumer and Gillibrand, revives those earlier concerns about extremist rhetoric influencing legislation.

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Graham Platton Wins Nomination

Graham Platton won Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination on April 30, 2026.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pledged to back Platton against Susan Collins.
Platton, an oyster farmer with a Totenkopf tattoo, praised a 2014 Hamas attack and said Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
The Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Democratic Council of America, Maine’s Jewish federation, and J Street leader Steven Koltai voiced concern over Platton’s statements.

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