Story perspectives

Graham Platner Wins Maine Nomination Despite Tattoo, Sexting Allegations

6/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Graham Platner set a Maine primary record with more than 152,000 votes, winning the Senate nomination.
He has a skull-and-crossbones tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism, deleted Reddit posts praising violence, and faces sexting allegations.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Adam Schiff endorsed Platner, saying his voter-energizing ability outweighs the controversies.
Platner has raised about $16 million, outpacing Sen. Susan Collins’s $12 million, while President Donald Trump called him a “thug” and “pig.”

History

Historical Context

On February 1 2000, John McCain’s 49-30% victory in New Hampshire shattered George W. Bush’s establishment lead, echoing Reagan’s 1980 upset and underscoring the state’s long-standing role as the first primary since 1920. The win sparked a surge in small-donor contributions for McCain and forced Bush to pivot toward Southern contests, shaping the 2000 Republican nomination race.

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Story summary

Graham Platner set a Maine primary record with more than 152,000 votes, winning the Senate nomination.
He has a skull-and-crossbones tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism, deleted Reddit posts praising violence, and faces sexting allegations.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Adam Schiff endorsed Platner, saying his voter-energizing ability outweighs the controversies.
Platner has raised about $16 million, outpacing Sen. Susan Collins’s $12 million, while President Donald Trump called him a “thug” and “pig.”

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