Graham Platner, 41, is an oyster farmer, Marine Corps veteran (with three Iraq deployments), and Army National Guard veteran (one Afghanistan deployment) from Sullivan, Maine. He launched his campaign in August 2025 with a viral video criticizing the 'oligarchy' that generated 2.5 million views in 24 hours. Platner is backed by Bernie Sanders and positioned himself as a progressive populist challenging the Democratic establishment. Despite controversies over old social media posts and a Nazi-linked tattoo, he has led Mills in most polling and significantly outraised her in fundraising. His campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing with over 50 town halls across Maine.
Born in Blue Hill and raised in Ellsworth and Sullivan, Platner enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served three infantry tours in Iraq. He worked as a bartender and defense contractor in Washington, D.C. after military service. He attended George Washington University on the G.I. Bill, then enrolled in the Army National Guard and served in Afghanistan. After military service, he became an oyster farmer in Sullivan, Maine. Before launching his 2026 Senate campaign, he was a working fisherman and community activist with no prior political office experience. His campaign is his first run for elected office.