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Controversial Graham Platner’s Senate Run Labeled Influence Operation

6/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Critics claim Graham Platner’s Senate bid was an influence operation that used profiles in The New York Times, The New Yorker, GQ and Bon Appétit.
Morris Katz, mentored by David Axelrod, directed Platner’s campaign and tied it to network backed Beto O’Rourke.
Platner’s record includes a Nazi-style tattoo, Hamas praise, rape-avoidance remarks and abuse accusations.
His oyster-farming venture launched after his website, serves only his mother and partners with Robert Cushman III.

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Story summary

Critics claim Graham Platner’s Senate bid was an influence operation that used profiles in The New York Times, The New Yorker, GQ and Bon Appétit.
Morris Katz, mentored by David Axelrod, directed Platner’s campaign and tied it to network backed Beto O’Rourke.
Platner’s record includes a Nazi-style tattoo, Hamas praise, rape-avoidance remarks and abuse accusations.
His oyster-farming venture launched after his website, serves only his mother and partners with Robert Cushman III.