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RandySF

(85,075 posts)
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:05 PM Thursday

ME-SEN: Senate candidate Graham Platner apologizes for using slur in interview

PORTLAND, Maine — Graham Platner, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, offered an apology on Wednesday after he used a slur against people with intellectual disabilities in a recent interview.

In an article published on Saturday by The Maine Monitor, Platner was quoted using the slur when talking about the controversy surrounding a tattoo he had that resembled a Nazi symbol. Platner had the tattoo covered up in October 2025, 18 years after he got it in Split, Croatia, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Platner also used the slur in a Reddit post that he made several years ago, which has since been deleted.

"I am sorry. I'm sorry that I said it. I am endeavoring to improve every single day. I am not a perfect person, and I continue to try to be better," Platner said. "I will say that my politics is one of inclusivity and one of showing up for everybody, and I will continue every day to represent that in our policies and in our campaign."



https://www.wmtw.com/article/graham-platner-controversy-r-word-maine-senate-candidate/71030038

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ME-SEN: Senate candidate Graham Platner apologizes for using slur in interview (Original Post) RandySF Thursday OP
Well, I sure don't want the "R" to win, but if Platner does, Maine is going to feel a lot more than hlthe2b Thursday #1
Im glad he apologized. The word is so frequently used by people but it's negative impact is slowly being learned. Nanjeanne Thursday #2
Sigh leftstreet Thursday #3
Packing town halls and rallies, you say? W_HAMILTON Thursday #8
I haven't seen any... 2naSalit Thursday #14
This will probably just increase support for him JI7 Thursday #4
Ugh JBTaurus83 Thursday #5
It's 2026, if you're still using that, it's a deliberate choice EdmondDantes_ Thursday #6
We really don't need Collins "Concerned" comments anymore. Omnipresent Thursday #12
Except given he has no public service record, EdmondDantes_ Thursday #16
I just don't like giving out silver linings to republicans, at all. Omnipresent Thursday #17
There's still the primary so the choices aren't Collins and Platner EdmondDantes_ Thursday #19
Just like. How long does it take for people to realize how unqualified a candidate is? SSJVegeta Thursday #7
Jeezus... displacedvermoter Thursday #9
Schumer supports Mills. RandySF Thursday #10
Sure, but I can't for the life of me understand displacedvermoter Thursday #11
The far left has flirted with antisemitism for centuries. RandySF Thursday #13
Far right here in America hasn't just flirted with it, displacedvermoter Thursday #15
Having said it so recently, there's neither excuse nor defense available. Torchlight Thursday #18

hlthe2b

(114,168 posts)
1. Well, I sure don't want the "R" to win, but if Platner does, Maine is going to feel a lot more than
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:08 PM
Thursday

perpetual "concern," I do predict. This guy is likely to bubble over with all the temporarily contained bigotry, racism, misogyny, and very NON-DEMOCRATIC viewpoints.

Nanjeanne

(6,608 posts)
2. Im glad he apologized. The word is so frequently used by people but it's negative impact is slowly being learned.
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:08 PM
Thursday

leftstreet

(41,056 posts)
3. Sigh
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:09 PM
Thursday

Regardless of what anyone thinks of him, it's probably too late to take him down expect him to withdraw

He's been packing town halls and rallies for months, over 50+ different locations throughout Maine. His audience demographics mirror the state's : the most elderly in the nation

Seems like he's a done deal.
The question now is can he beat Collins

W_HAMILTON

(10,372 posts)
8. Packing town halls and rallies, you say?
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:25 PM
Thursday

Do you think he has news for the Republican Establishment and the Democratic Establishment that he can't be stopped too?

2naSalit

(103,287 posts)
14. I haven't seen any...
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:57 PM
Thursday

Of his town hall events, he even had one in my little town a couple weeks ago. I might have gone to it but you had to RSVP through a QRC in the news paper to get in.

I'm not favorably impressed with this guy, we don't a novice with no public speaking manners.

JBTaurus83

(1,541 posts)
5. Ugh
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:17 PM
Thursday

Has this guy ever had to apply for a job working with the public? It seems like he cannot open his trap without something damaging coming out of it. I do hope if he is the nominee he can take Collins out, but, he just seems like a walking senate resignation waiting to happen.

EdmondDantes_

(1,949 posts)
6. It's 2026, if you're still using that, it's a deliberate choice
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:21 PM
Thursday

You can't blame growing up with it, it's no longer on the acceptable vernacular. It also further makes me skeptical he's changed on his other views

Omnipresent

(7,481 posts)
12. We really don't need Collins "Concerned" comments anymore.
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:56 PM
Thursday

Her voting record does more damage than his mouth could ever do.

EdmondDantes_

(1,949 posts)
16. Except given he has no public service record,
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:05 PM
Thursday

His words are all we've got to judge him on. And those words, over a prolonged period have been to belittle and demean others. Not being Susan Collins isn't where my bar is, especially not during a primary.

I have some position differences with Mills, but I also volunteer with Special Olympics and and strangely enough I don't want to support someone who is still using slurs against that population.

Omnipresent

(7,481 posts)
17. I just don't like giving out silver linings to republicans, at all.
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:15 PM
Thursday

They’ve done far more destruction with their dictator in chief in charge since last year.
Susan Collins is careful with her words, but i wouldn’t leave her in her current job by not voting for her opponent.

EdmondDantes_

(1,949 posts)
19. There's still the primary so the choices aren't Collins and Platner
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:59 PM
Thursday

It's effectively Mills or Platner

SSJVegeta

(2,895 posts)
7. Just like. How long does it take for people to realize how unqualified a candidate is?
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:23 PM
Thursday

With all his faults he is still probably a step up(or several) from Collins. But do we really need to settle for this?

displacedvermoter

(4,723 posts)
9. Jeezus...
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:37 PM
Thursday

I don't think he would beat Collins, I am afraid. Something really bad is likely lurking out there, and forgive me but he speaks like Markwayne the Plumbing Contractor, not real articulate. And I don't really trust him in the Senate should he win. And I am not sure what Warren and Sanders are seeing that I am not, or perhaps not seeing?

Could it be Schumer and company are banking on him actually attracting a number of hardcore Trumpists? To these folks the Nazi tattoos, below average smarts, and propensity to say very vile things only add to the attraction. But will they be able to rein him in should the strategy actually work and he wins the Senate seat?

Christ, wasn't there a mayor, or state senator, or state commissioner out there who could offer a better alternative -- for folks who find Mills out of step -- than this?

Again, Jeezus ....

displacedvermoter

(4,723 posts)
11. Sure, but I can't for the life of me understand
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 01:52 PM
Thursday

how we have reached the point that the progressive option in a Senate race is a guy with Nazi tattoos. I have to believe there are strategic maneuverings going on.

I have tried calling Bernie's office earlier to get his take on his endorsement. I will be interested to hear.

displacedvermoter

(4,723 posts)
15. Far right here in America hasn't just flirted with it,
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:00 PM
Thursday

they've gone all the way, so to speak.

Torchlight

(6,922 posts)
18. Having said it so recently, there's neither excuse nor defense available.
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:21 PM
Thursday

The justifications are lazy and the rationalizations meritless. He is showing everyone the content of his character.

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