Column By Mike Bibb
“An oyster farmer and progressive military veteran running an insurgent campaign for Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination admitted this week to having had a Nazi tattoo for nearly two decades. Graham Platner shared (a) video of himself shirtless, sporting the tattoo, on a popular progressive podcast. He denied that he himself ever held Nazi views, instead claiming he had gotten the tattoo while ‘inebriated’ as a young adult without knowing what it meant.”
— Jewish Telegraph Agency, Oct. 21, 2025.
Nearly everyone expects a little political hypocrisy during an election season, but Democrats seemed to have outdone themselves with the endorsement of their own Nazi-tattooed candidate.
“Wait a minute,” you may be thinking, “I thought Trump and his followers were the real Nazis. Now, you’re telling me it’s some guy from Maine who’s running as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator?”
Yep, that’s what it looks like.
“Can’t be,” you reply. “I see Democrats carrying signs and posters and shouting Trump is Hitler, or a king, or something like that, and now I’m supposed to believe a Nazi — up in Maine somewhere — is really a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. Are you crazy?”*
Actually, to be more specific, Mr. Graham Platner is a Democrat oyster farmer Nazi.
Not many of those around. At least, not in the United States. In fact, he may be the only one.
One would naturally think that, after all the Democrats’ sidewalk demonstrations, television comments, impeachments, lawsuits, and an endless parade of “Get Trump” hullabaloo, they’d be a little more restrained in endorsing someone who has openly admitted being sympathetic to Nazis.
Not necessarily.
Democrat Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, Vermont Democrat Senator, Bernie Sanders, and California Democrat Representative, Ro Khanna, are supporting Platner.
Which is kind of weird, considering both Schumer and Sanders are Jewish. That, coupled with the fact that the real Adolph Hitler and his Nazis attempted to exterminate as many Jews as possible during World War II, lends additional irony/hypocrisy to this political tale.
Recently, reports from several women have disclosed they’ve received explicit texts from Platner, a few dated him in the past and spoke of being treated violently, yet his current wife, Amy Gertner, stands by her man.
In a statement released through Platner’s campaign organization, Gertner said, “I know who Graham is. I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn’t changed, and it won’t.” — CNN, June 1, 2026.
Sounds like a rather generic comment, considering the allegations.
Apparently, Platner has other issues with PTSD, a result of his days in the military, has denounced other vets, insists his Nazi tattoo was an innocent youthful mistake, and the current clamor over extramarital sexting has combined to create a storm of controversy questioning his skills and temperament to be a U.S. Senator.
Yet, as mentioned, all this uproar doesn’t appear to be of significance to Democratic leadership.
Or, does it?
Mr. Platner might want to keep in mind that it wasn’t that long ago when the Democratic National Committee removed President Joe Biden from running for reelection. He had simply become more of a liability than an asset.
While Graham Platner’s situation is a little different — he isn’t a current senator running for reelection — Dems are still facing the reality that they need a candidate with enough voter appeal to overcome Maine’s present Republican U.S. Senator, Susan Collins.
With each passing day, Platner’s list of behavioral faux pas is lengthening. Maybe, to such an extent that not even the likes of Schumer, Sanders, and Khanna can continue to promote.
After all, the success of political theater, in either party, is heavily dependent upon a script that appeals to a majority of voters. Many folks vote the party line, so it really doesn’t matter what is said and done, or who is saying it. They’ll blindly cast their vote for the party-endorsed candidate, regardless of qualifications or sincerity.
Others are more discerning, actually interested in the issues and integrity of the candidate.
Consequently, Platner’s ongoing antics may prove to be too much for Dems to tolerate much longer. With their representation in the Senate less than Republicans — 53-R, 45-D, 2-I — they must strive to make every Democrat candidate as attractive as possible.
Not certain Graham Platner fits that description — or even cares.
*BTW — (By The Way) — Good luck, Justin, on your June 14, “250th” bout in D.C. Go for a KO or Submission. Also, if ya have time, say “hello” to the President for me. You’ve achieved considerable recognition. Don’t know the next time a local kid will be standing in the White House, next to #47? Maybe, sooner than Air Force One’s chances of landing at Safford-1st Lt. Duane Spalsbury field!
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
