Maine Senate Candidate Platner to Remove Tattoo, Addresses Past Online Posts

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Zak Platner announced today he will remove a tattoo that has drawn criticism for resembling a Nazi symbol, and is addressing a series of past online postings that have surfaced during his campaign to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The controversy began yesterday with the discovery of the tattoo and subsequent reports of Reddit posts attributed to Platner containing controversial views. Platner stated, “I am not a secret Nazi,” and explained the tattoo is a misinterpreted symbol from a video game. He also acknowledged posting under a pseudonym where he expressed radical political views, including identifying as a communist and making critical statements about law enforcement and U.S. foreign policy. CNN reported on the deleted posts, detailing his evolving political perspectives.

Platner, who is challenging Senator Collins in a closely watched race, said he has “grown and evolved” since making those posts. He stated he will remove the tattoo to avoid further distraction from his campaign’s focus on issues like healthcare and economic opportunity. This development comes at a critical juncture in the campaign, potentially impacting voter perceptions and fundraising efforts. For more on the Maine Senate race, see Cook Political Report’s analysis.

The Maine Democratic Party has not yet issued a formal statement, but the situation highlights the increasing scrutiny of candidates’ digital footprints. The Anti-Defamation League offers resources on identifying hate symbols and understanding extremist ideologies.

Platner’s campaign team stated they will continue to address concerns and focus on presenting his platform to voters in the coming weeks.