{"id":2501638,"date":"2025-10-21T19:50:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sanders-defends-embattled-maine-senate-hopeful-graham-platner\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T19:51:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:51:43","slug":"sanders-defends-embattled-maine-senate-hopeful-graham-platner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sanders-defends-embattled-maine-senate-hopeful-graham-platner\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanders defends embattled Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsanders-defends-embattled-maine-senate-hopeful-graham-platner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2501638&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Bernie Sanders strongly supports Graham Platner,a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine who has faced controversy due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-faces-massive-backlash-for-firing-gina-carano-as-cancel-disney-plus-trends-1-critics-bring-up-companys-history\/\" title=\"Disney Faces Massive Backlash For Firing Gina Carano As \u2018Cancel Disney Plus\u2019 Trends #1, Critics Bring Up Company\u2019s History\">offensive social media posts<\/a> and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Sanders praised Platner as an excellent candidate and highlighted his military service and courage in running for office despite personal struggles. Platner has apologized for the posts, explaining they were made during a tough period after his deployment. While Sanders is Jewish, he deflected questions regarding the tattoo controversy, emphasizing broader issues like healthcare cuts and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bloomberg-biden-sets-new-record-taking-dark-money-donations\/\" title=\"Bloomberg: Biden sets new record taking dark money donations\">campaign finance reform<\/a>. Meanwhile, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer reaffirmed support for another Democratic candidate, Governor janet Mills, and stated he would leave the decision about Platner&#8217;s controversies to Maine voters.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Bernie Sanders stands by embattled Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2377740\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) on Tuesday offered an impassioned defense of Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine who&rsquo;s been immersed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3856438\/ken-martin-graham-platner-posts-maine-senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hot political waters<\/a> over <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >past offensive social media posts<\/a> and having a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.<\/p>\n<p>Sanders was an early endorser of the military veteran and oyster farmer in what&rsquo;s become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3848859\/janet-mills-maine-senate-run-generational-clash-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">crowded Democratic field<\/a> to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in one of the country&rsquo;s most competitive Senate races.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3858751\/eric-trump-warns-andrew-cuomo-chances-doomed-unless-curtis-sliwa-drops-out-nyc-mayoral-race\/\">Eric Trump warns Cuomo&rsquo;s chances doomed unless Sliwa drops out of New York race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3858136\/new-york-republicans-support-curtis-sliwa-nyc-mayoral-race\/\">NY Republicans sticking with Sliwa as Cuomo and allies ramp up the rhetoric calling for him to step out<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3858139\/ed-gallrein-campaign-challenging-thomas-massie\/\">Ed Gallrein answers Trump&#8217;s call to primary Thomas Massie<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Of course, I&rsquo;m supporting him,&rdquo; Sanders told reporters. &ldquo;I personally think he is an excellent candidate. I&rsquo;m going to support him, and I look forward to him becoming the next senator in the state of Maine.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Vermont independent, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, suggested that the since-deleted Reddit posts from Platner that were recently unearthed were the result of an overseas combat veteran who &ldquo;went through some really difficult experiences seeing friends of his killed.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And he had, despite all that, had the courage to run for the United States Senate, to stand up to the powers that be, and fight for the working class of this country,&rdquo; Sanders said.<\/p>\n<p>Platner espoused offensive comments toward Black people and sexual assault survivors in the posts revealed by CNN. The candidate has <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/grahamformaine\/status\/1979312580490596829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">since apologized<\/a> for views that he said were made when he was &ldquo;struggling deeply&rdquo; after returning from serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>Sanders, who is Jewish, also sought to redirect a line of questioning from reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday when asked about a purported Nazi tattoo, which Platner himself revealed the day prior on a Pod Save America podcast appearance. The shirtless video of Platner, from his brother&rsquo;s wedding, was meant to preempt more negative headlines and showed a skull tattoo that resembles a Nazi-era &ldquo;Totenkopf,&rdquo; which was a symbol of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adl.org\/resources\/hate-symbol\/totenkopf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hitler&rsquo;s Schutzstaffel&nbsp;<\/a>paramilitary organization. Platner explained he received the tattoo with fellow Marines while on deployment in Croatia and stated he was &ldquo;not a secret Nazi.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sanders deflected by, in part, referencing cuts to government healthcare programs under President Donald Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;big, beautiful&rdquo; tax law, passed earlier this year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From l-r: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington, and Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at a town hall at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;What bothers me is that 60% of the people in this country are living paycheck to paycheck. And you know what bothers me? That if we don&rsquo;t act, 50,000 Americans are going to die each year because they&rsquo;re not going to have healthcare as a result of Trump&rsquo;s bill,&rdquo; Sanders said. &ldquo;What bothers me is that we have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-says-good-riddance-to-bowman-as-democrats-call-red-alert-on-primary-spending-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"House GOP says good riddance to Bowman as Democrats call \u2018red alert\u2019 on primary spending- Washington Examiner\">corrupt campaign finance system<\/a>. And what bothers me is we don&rsquo;t have enough candidates in this country who are prepared to take on the powers to be and fight for the working class. That&rsquo;s what bothers me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is also Jewish, was forced to address Platner&rsquo;s controversies. He reaffirmed his support for Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), whom he helped recruit and who national establishment Democrats see as a more formidable and seasoned candidate with less progressive views than Platner.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3856438\/ken-martin-graham-platner-posts-maine-senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DNC CHAIRMAN STANDS BY PLATNER IN MAINE SENATE RACE OVER &lsquo;INDEFENSIBLE&rsquo; DELETED POSTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Schumer said he&rsquo;ll &ldquo;let the people of Maine decide&rdquo; if Platner&rsquo;s controversies should be politically disqualifying.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We think that Janet Mills is the best candidate to retire Susan Collins,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s a tested two-term governor, and the people of Maine have an enormous amount of affection and respect for her.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sanders defends Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner amid controversy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2501639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-collage-8bufvfi78-1761078380001.jpg?1761069793&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65649,54092,3981],"class_list":["post-2501638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-graham-platner","tag-maine-senate","tag-sanders"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-collage-8bufvfi78-1761078380001.jpg?1761069793&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2501638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2501638"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2501638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2501642,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2501638\/revisions\/2501642"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2501639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2501638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2501638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2501638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}