Overview
- Conservative operatives circulated a screenshot of a 2012 Reddit comment tied to Graham Platner that joked about a “zombie” Jesus and called the Virgin Mary a “skank,” drawing swift condemnations from Republican groups.
- The post, first highlighted on X by strategist Greg Price, remains visible on Reddit without an author name, and outlets reported an archived version links it to a now-deleted handle associated with Platner.
- Platner has said he was horrified by past internet comments and has issued public apologies, while his campaign has faced fallout from earlier revelations including a video of a Nazi-style Totenkopf chest tattoo that he later covered.
- Gov. Janet Mills has pressed the case on electability with recent TV ads featuring Platner’s old remarks, even as polls show him leading the Democratic primary and as he counts endorsements from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, with Mills backed by Chuck Schumer.
- The June 9 primary will set the challenger to Sen. Susan Collins in a race drawing heavy national money, with Republicans already seizing on the latest post as they argue Platner would be vulnerable in November.