Maine Senate Candidate Platner Holds Fundraiser With Jewelry Designer Alexis Bittar

Graham Platner, a candidate in the Maine Senate race, traveled to New York last month for a fundraiser held at the Brooklyn home of jewelry designer Alexis Bittar. The April 23 event brought together wealthy filmmakers, actors and other New York residents.

Platner, who works as an oyster farmer, has positioned himself as an opponent of the billionaire class. " The post included a photo of both men. Bittar has said he spends three months of the year in Maine since childhood. He predicted that Platner will go far in the progressive movement.

The jewelry designer has incorporated political and cultural topics into his marketing, including a "Bittarverse" web series addressing transgender issues, racism and elitism. Last year he helped release the "Reclaim the Flag" documentary. "It's become such a symbol of aggression, the American flag, like 'we're coming for you' during Trump's era," he said, according to Forbes.

Bittar added, "Yet there is no other country I'd rather raise my kids in. " He also told Platner it was "crazy" that progressives are viewed as far left. Financial disclosures show Bittar has given the maximum allowable donation to Platner's campaign.

He has previously donated to Sen. Bernie Sanders, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Bittar posted on Instagram that he has followed Platner's career and was struck by his policies, including no corporate funding, being pro-union and supporting universal medical care.

Last year he led a high-end fundraiser for another politician. Platner won his primary after Maine Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race before the June 9 election. The outcome cleared the path for a general election contest against incumbent Sen.

Susan Collins. Maine is viewed as a key Senate race in the 2026 midterms. Platner, a former Marine, has faced questions over past Reddit posts and a tattoo he received in 2007 in Croatia. The tattoo depicted a Totenkopf, or death's head, an image used by the Nazi SS.

Platner said he got it while drunk, did not realize its meaning at the time, and has since covered it with a Celtic knot design incorporating dog imagery.

Background on the Candidates Platner has described himself as a progressive Democrat. His campaign has emphasized opposition to corporate influence and support for union workers and universal health care. The primary victory over a sitting governor surprised some party figures.

Collins, a longtime Republican senator, remains the incumbent in a state that has been targeted by Democrats for a potential pickup.