Maine Democrat Covers Controversial Tattoo Amid Senate Campaign

Maine Democrat Graham Platner, a first-time U.S. Senate candidate, said Wednesday that a tattoo on his chest has been covered to remove imagery widely recognized as a Nazi symbol.

Platner explained that he got the skull-and-crossbones tattoo in 2007, while serving in the Marine Corps, during a night of drinking on leave in Croatia. He said he was unaware until recently that the symbol had been associated with Nazi police.

The revelation of the tattoo—and its hurried cover-up—is the latest development in a turbulent Senate race that has already seen a sweep of old internet posts and a viral video of Platner in his underwear. Amid the uproar, another Democratic candidate shared a shirtless photo displaying an arm tattoo of former President Barack Obama’s campaign logo.

Intensifying Senate Race

Platner launched his campaign in August, but the race intensified when Gov. Janet Mills entered the contest last Monday. Her entry, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is part of a Democratic effort to reclaim the seat held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins for nearly 30 years.

As news of Mills’ candidacy spread, reports from Platner’s past began surfacing. The oyster farmer, running as a progressive, claimed the scrutiny reflected his status as a non-establishment candidate. He accused opponents of attempting to “destroy my life” and said he would not be deterred from the campaign.

Initially, Platner considered tattoo removal, but due to limited options in rural Maine, he instead chose to cover it with a new design. “Going to a tattoo removal place is going to take a while,” he said. “I wanted this thing off my body.”

The original tattoo resembled a symbol of Hitler’s paramilitary Schutzstaffel (SS), responsible for the systematic murders of millions during World War II.

The New Design

Platner’s replacement tattoo, completed late Tuesday, features a Celtic knot with a dog-like creature in the center. The animal has four legs, an elongated head, and a spiraling tongue. The design is primarily black, while the knot is green. In a rare move for a political candidate, Platner displayed the new tattoo shirtless during an interview and in a social media video, saying the controversy had distracted from more pressing issues for Maine voters.

Platner noted that for two decades, no one had questioned the tattoo’s symbolism. He also highlighted his military background, including passing a security clearance examination for the Ambassador to Afghanistan’s security detail.

Past Controversial Statements

The tattoo controversy follows revelations of Platner’s deleted online posts, which included dismissive comments on military sexual assaults, racial biases, and criticism of police officers and rural Americans. Additional Reddit posts surfaced with homophobic slurs and anti-LGBTQ+ jokes from 2018 to 2021. Platner apologized, attributing the remarks to struggles with PTSD and depression after leaving the Army in 2012.

Despite calls to drop out, Platner retains the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called him a stronger candidate than Mills. Another primary rival, Jordan Wood, criticized Platner’s candidacy, saying Democrats need “moral clarity” in condemning former President Trump. The National Republican Senate Committee also seized on the controversy to support Collins’ re-election.

Platner, however, framed his past as a journey of growth. “I don’t look at this as a liability. It’s a life that I have lived… that has also gotten me to where I am today. And I’m very proud of who I am,” he said.

Rally and Public Reaction

At a rally in Ogunquit, Maine, Platner reiterated his regret over the tattoo and previous online statements. His mother, Leslie Harlow, expressed support for his campaign despite the controversies. The event, held in a 500-person theater, saw frequent applause.

Outside the rally, supporter David Tufts said Platner addressed the week’s issues well. “I feel like he has done a pretty good job of explaining the Reddit history, the tattoo… it doesn’t increase my faith in him, but I’m still on board with the campaign,” Tufts said.