News

Maine Oysterman, Marine Veteran Running as Democrat Against Sen. Collins

Graham for Maine


A 40-year-old oysterman and Marine veteran is running as a Democrat seeking to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins next year.

Graham Platner is from the Hancock County town of Sullivan and is heavily involved in local government after serving three tours in Iraq as a Marine and one for the Army in Afghanistan.

Platner joins a small and not especially well know field of Democratic challengers, while national Democrats are trying to recruit Governor Janet Mills, who is term limited, to take on Sen. Collins.

Platner has never run for office before.

In his announcement video, he called for universal health care, said “the enemy is the oligarchy,” and asked, “Why are we funding endless wars and bombing children?”

In the video, he also said, “The difference between Susan Collins and Ted Cruz is at least Ted Cruz is honest about selling us out and not giving a damn.”

Platner told ABC News he has friends, who all voted for Donald Trump because they wanted something new and wanted change. He said his understanding of those voters could help steer the Democratic Party, which he described as “quite confused.”

He told ABC he admires the former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and respects Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

Platner told POLITICO he would have supported Sen. Sanders’ recent resolution to block arms sales to Israel.

The Bangor Daily News reports Jordan Wood, a Bristol resident who previously worked in Democratic politics on Capitol Hill, is the best-funded and most active Democrat running so far

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Human Remains Found in Aroostook County

State police confirmed Tuesday that a Blaine resident discovered the remains last Thursday.

3 hours ago in Local

Police Break Up Argument at Maine Polling Place Over Transgender Athletes

The election warden called police after a argument broke out.

4 hours ago in Local

Red Flag Law, voter ID measure appear on Maine ballot this Election Day

Voters in Maine headed to the polls Tuesday to weigh in on two major questions on the state ballot.

4 hours ago in Local

Thousands without power as strong wind gusts topple power lines in Maine

POWERLINES TELOPHONE POLES UTILITY POLES

Strong winds knocked out power to nearly 25,000 CMP customers at one point on Tuesday.

14 hours ago in National, Trending

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq, has died at age 84.