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

10 hours ago in Local

Man to serve 2 life sentences for fatally shooting couple in front of their children in Westbrook

A Maine man who fatally shot a couple in Westbrook in front of their children has been sentenced to life behind bars.

10 hours ago in Local

1 man found dead after fire destroys off-grid home in Sumner

Crews found one person dead after fire destroyed an off-grid residence in Sumner.

12 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Parents under pressure offer creative tips for moving Santa’s spy Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the Shelf, who turns 20 this year, has created lots of family memories, laughter and the occasional parental panic over where to move the elf next.

18 hours ago in Local

Frigid Cold Tonight in Maine, Pattern to Continue for Weeks

Close-up of mercury thermometer

It's going to remain colder than normal in Maine because of the current weather pattern.

1 day ago in Local

Maine Issues Another Recall of Marijuana Products

The products were sold at 22 cannabis retailers across the state.