Graham Cunningham Platner (born September 1, 1984) is an American oyster farmer, Marine Corps veteran, and political candidate. He is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in the 2026 election in Maine, challenging incumbent Republican senator Susan Collins.
๐บ๐ธ Early Life and Military Service
Platner was born in Blue Hill, Maine, and raised in Sullivan and Ellsworth. He attended the Hotchkiss School and John Bapst Memorial High School, a private college preparatory school in Bangor, Maine.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating high school in 2003. He served eight years, including three combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan with the Maryland Army National Guard.
๐ Oyster Farming and Local Government
After his military service, Platner worked as a State Department security contractor in Afghanistan. He returned to Maine and entered the oyster farming business, taking over an operation in 2020.
Platner is Sullivanโs harbormaster and the chair of Sullivanโs planning board. He also runs a mooring and dive service.
๐ณ๏ธ Senate Campaign Launch and Endorsements
Platner launched his Senate campaign on August 19, 2025. The campaign raised $1 million in its first nine days and reported amassing over 2,700 volunteers.
Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Platner on August 30, 2025. He has also been endorsed by Elizabeth Warren, Robert Reich, and the United Auto Workers.
โ ๏ธ Controversies and Staff Departures
In October and November 2025, several high-level staffers left Platnerโs campaign. This period coincided with media reporting on his controversial tattoo and old Reddit posts.
Platner faced scrutiny over a skull-and-bones tattoo resembling the Nazi-era Totenkopf symbol. He said he received the tattoo while on leave in Croatia in 2007 and later covered it.
๐ Primary Victory and Platform
Platner won the June Democratic primary with 72% of the vote. His vote count set a record for a Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
His platform focuses on housing affordability, universal health care, strengthening labor unions, and ending U.S. involvement in what he calls โpointlessโ wars.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | September 1, 1984 | Birthplace | Blue Hill, Maine |
| Military Service | 8 years (Marine Corps & Army National Guard) | Combat Tours | 3 in Iraq, 1 in Afghanistan |
| Occupation | Oyster farmer, harbormaster | Campaign Launch | August 19, 2025 |
| Primary Vote Share | 72% | Notable Endorser | Bernie Sanders |