Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Discusses Military Service and Political Views

The New York Times magazine interviewed Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner over the weekend. Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins. Platner described his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan as motivation for his candidacy.

He stated that his anger stems from officials who sent service members into harm's way and referenced the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.

Platner joined the Marines in 2004.

Congress had authorized military action in Iraq in 2002. Platner said Collins voted to send him to Iraq and linked her to current policy decisions.

Platner stated he learned of Nazi associations with a tattoo after it was exposed during the campaign and said he covered it up. CNN previously reported that acquaintances recalled him discussing the tattoo's appearance more than a decade earlier. Previous reporting showed Platner once described himself as a communist and referred to rural white Americans as racist and stupid.

He has also written critically of police departments. The Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has supported his candidacy. Collins stated that her father served in World War II and received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.