Graham Platner, a harbormaster and oysterman from Sullivan, Maine, officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate. He pledges, if elected chair, to deliver what the Democratic National Committee lacks most – a new vision. Platner, who is a veteran himself with four infantry tours in both the Marine Corps and the Army, thinks these lived experiences have informed his policy ideas on what working-class Americans need. He aims to challenge the establishment and advocate for marginalized groups in a political landscape he feels has lost touch with its constituents.
Platner’s campaign comes on the heels of a highly frustrating 2020 election cycle. In the last cycle he experienced an incredibly difficult primary defeat from incumbent Senator Susan Collins. He now sees an opportunity to build on that success and capitalize on what he views as the Democratic Party’s shortcomings. She said that the Democratic Party has been losing working class support for decades, in part due to this dynamic. Not all, but a lot of those voters feel like nobody is listening to them, and I think it’s my job to try and reflect their voices.
His frustrations are more than with the Democrats, frustrations with the whole damn political climate. What really sticks in Cummings’ crosshairs is what he characterizes as the party’s prioritizing of fundraising over real solutions to problems that Americans care about. Few things annoy me more than getting a Democrat fundraising text that tells me they’re fighting fascists. It’s just crazy talk! We’re not idiots. And everybody knows that most of them aren’t doing jack shit right now to fight back,” said Platner.
Platner’s military service deeply informs his populist brand of reactive politics and drives his long-game desire for change. He is convinced that most Americans, especially working-class Americans, are tired of being disenfranchised, tired of being robbed by the ultra-rich. And when they do, they think it is failing to work on their behalf. They believe that they are being stolen from by the 1%. And these are all accurate statements,” he noted. But he is utterly committed to building a political movement that resonates on these emotional levels. He’s convinced, “We need to inspire them, first of all, and show them that there’s still a powerful force in American politics that’s fighting for their interests.”
His campaign platform runs along a lot of similar lines, but perhaps most striking is his internationalist outlook, particularly his support for a free Palestine. Platner believes that addressing these global concerns is integral to forming a comprehensive approach to politics that aligns with the values of working-class Americans.
After returning from Afghanistan, Platner transitioned into running an oyster farm in Sullivan, where he has found community and purpose. His eccentric video announcement that launched his Senate run went instantly viral, attracting national attention in a crowded primary field. So he’s resolved to take a different kind of voice to Washington, D.C. He feels this establishment-bucking view is unfortunately missing among the usual top dogs.
Platner argues that establishment Democratic candidates have really miscalculated on how to toe-to-toe appeal to a lot of these working-class voters. He views “culture war” issues as red herrings that take focus away from the cultural and economic issues underlying the daily struggles most people endure. He reiterated that we have far more in common with our neighbors across the political spectrum than we ever will with the billionaire class. He called for solidarity between workers and the middle class, bound together by shared interests.
He’s taking the fight to entrenched established politicians like Susan Collins. He charges that she’s hiding behind a veil of moderation while pushing through policies that enrich the rich. “I’m not going to be duped by this phony charade of Collins’ reflection and moderation,” he said sternly.
As Platner embarks on this new chapter in his political career, he’s grateful to have had lifelong support from the Veteran Affairs system. He feels deeply that all Americans should be able to experience the same benefits, no matter if they served in wars overseas or not. “Government can provide good things for people like I have been provided – a good life by the support I get from the VA, both in healthcare and in housing,” he asserted.
He’s running for office because he recognizes that the real problem is systemic within both of the major political parties. He thinks they mislead, and most importantly, they don’t really capture the wants and needs of regular Americans. Platner thinks the Democratic Party is due for some new blood. This outsider perspective is exactly what’s needed to resuscitate the party and return it to its roots and original principles.