War-Vote Showdown in the Maine Senate Race

Incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Democratic challenger Graham Platner, a Marine veteran, have turned the 2024 Maine Senate primary into a dispute over Collins’s Iraq-war vote. New Hampshire polling shows Platner leads Collins by digits and holds 76 percent support among likely voters. Platner says Collins voted to start the war and blocked troop withdrawals; Collins says Platner chose to enlist and later worked for Blackwater.

The Hill

Collins voted for the 2002 Senate resolution authorizing the Iraq invasion (77-23) and has backed operations in Afghanistan. Platner joined the Marines in 2004, deployed to Ramadi in 2006, served again in Iraq in 2007, and after discharge worked for Blackwater, which faced investigations. In May 2024 he criticized Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, alleging civilian killings. The primary is June 9, 2024.

Common Dreams

The Costs of War Project estimates over 940,000 deaths in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Pakistan (2001-2023), 432,000 civilians; over 7,000 U.S. service members died and the wars cost >$8 trillion.

Common Dreams

Collins said Platner ‘was not drafted’ and condemned his Reddit post mocking Purple Heart recipient Ted Daniels as ‘appalling.’ Platner reiterated that Collins voted to start the Iraq war, opposed withdrawals and funded conflict, calling it ‘politicians who view war as a game.’ Daniels said he does not need an apology and that respect must be earned.

The Hill

Rep. Chris Deluzio called the Iraq vote ‘dumb and pointless.’ Nathan Bernard said blaming veterans is ineffective; Daniels called Platner a self-proclaimed communist. David Sirota noted Collins blocked war-ending timetable, saying she ‘literally voted to keep Platner in Iraq.’ Sam Seder accused her of ‘stunning abdication.’

Common Dreams

Platner’s 2020 Reddit post mocking a Purple Heart recipient and a chest-tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol have resurfaced, yet he has not apologized. His Iraq service dates vary between 2006 and 2007. No probe has examined his claims of civilian killings by Task Unit Bruiser, and the Blackwater investigation remains unresolved.

The Hill

The war-vote dispute tests veteran credibility, foreign-policy accountability, and the political cost of past wars.

Common Dreams

The June 9 primary will decide the Democratic nominee; both sides will intensify war-vote messaging.

Common Dreams

• “Susan Collins voted to support starting the war in Iraq,” — Graham Platner, Democratic Senate candidate

The Hill

• “On three occasions after that, she voted against withdrawing troops. On at least two occasions, she voted to fund the war.” — Graham Platner

The Hill

• “we destroyed Iraq and we destroyed Afghanistan, and all the suffering, all the killing, all the dying, all the displacement—we, the United States, did that.” — Graham Platner

Common Dreams

• “It was your decision as a senator to send Americans to fight in a dumb and pointless Iraq War,” — Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA)

Common Dreams

• “need an apology” — Ted Daniels, veteran

The Hill