Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) refuses to support the presumptive Democratic nominee in the race for U.S. Senate in Maine, Graham Platner, citing a controversial “Nazi tattoo.”
“Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history. Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers. As I said months ago, I find Platner’s Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying. If it were me I’d vote for someone else in the Maine Democratic primary,” Auchincloss said.
“Regardless of what happens in Maine, Democrats need to take back the Senate and I’ll keep working hard to make it happen,” he added.
Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history. Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers. As I said months ago, I find Platner’s Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it…
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) May 26, 2026
The Hill shared further:
The candidate said he covered up the chest tattoo after receiving criticism that it resembled a Totenkopf, a symbol adopted by Adolf Hitler’s troops in Nazi Germany.
Platner explained last October that he was not aware of this link and first heard about it from “reporters and D.C. insiders.”
“I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that — and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed,” he added at the time.
The Senate hopeful has also faced criticism over posts he made several years ago on the social platform Reddit, where he called himself a “communist” and police officers “b**tards.”
Platner told “Pod Save America” in an episode last fall that the posts were intended to “get a rise out of people” and did not reflect his true beliefs at the time.
Platner became the overwhelming favorite to win the Maine Democratic primary after Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race.
BREAKING: Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops out of the Democratic Senate race against controversial candidate Graham Platner, signaling fundraising struggles pic.twitter.com/SCbG0Ohihp
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 30, 2026
Mediaite has more:
The congressman’s double down comes as prominent Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) who also represents Massachusetts, have rallied behind Platner following Maine Governor Janet Mills’ (D) withdrawal from the race.
Auchincloss appeared on CNN’s The Arena to speak with anchor Boris Sanchez, stepping in for Kasie Hunt, to talk about the senatorial race in Texas when the host pivoted to Platner’s bid for Maine in the November midterms.
“So, no weighing in on Graham Platner?” Sanchez asked.
The Massachusetts Democrat said, “I’ve been clear about Graham Platner. I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying. I hope Maine voters agree with me.”
Rounding on his party colleagues, he continued: “I think it would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner’s brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country.”
“Wow,” Sanchez replied before ending the interview.
