A 2012 Reddit comment by Graham Platner, a leading Democratic Senate candidate challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, is drawing renewed attention online.
In the post, Platner, a military veteran, described himself as a “crude atheist,” made remarks about “zombie Jesus,” and used the term “skank” when referring to the Virgin Mary, while also downplaying claims of anti-Christian bias in the U.S. military. (RELATED: Trump-Backed Senate Candidate Faces Questions Over Her DEI History)
Platner, an oyster farmer from Sullivan, Maine, is running as a populist progressive in the June 2026 Democratic primary.
The resurfaced comments are part of broader scrutiny surrounding Platner’s past online statements, which have included other controversial remarks cited by critics questioning his candidacy.
Additional controversies have included reports of a tattoo widely associated with the “Totenkopf,” or “death’s head,” symbol historically linked to Nazi SS units, as well as past comments involving offensive language about women, repeatedly slurs, and dismissive remarks about military sexual assault.
Platner has acknowledged some of the past statements and attributed them to struggles with PTSD following his military service.
Despite the controversies, Platner leads in many primary and general election polls and continues to emphasize cost-of-living and quality-of-life priorities with a Maine-first focus. (RELATED: Leaked Audio Of Dem Candidate’s Terror Leader Comments Threaten To Upend Senate Race)
Nevertheless, the fallout has included staff departures and scrutiny over the campaign’s brief use of nondisclosure agreements.
Other examples from Platner’s unearthed posts include:
- Asking “Why don’t black people tip?” in a thread about questions for other races, and speculating on reasons.
- Suggesting sexual assault victims should “take some responsibility” and not get “so f**ked up” that they end up having sex with someone unintended.
- Claiming white rural Americans “actually are” racist and stupid.
- References to fighting fascism “with signs, and fists, and guns if need be.”
It remains unclear how voters in Maine would respond in a general election if Platner advances past Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary. Mills and her supporters argue that Platner’s past comments could alienate moderate voters — a key bloc that Sen. Collins has relied on in a state that often leans Democratic.
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In an old Reddit post from fully grown adult Graham Platner, he describes himself as “crudely atheist,” calls Jesus a “Zombie,” and calls the Virgin Mary a “skank.”
I have this to say to Graham Platner he definitely crude, as for him being an atheist that’s his choice. If what he believes is true I and many other christians have wasted our time, but if what we as christians believe is true, he is in BIG,BIG trouble when he stands before Almighty God’s judgement.
How could such a dead brained scum bag serve the constitution of America?