Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire for resurfaced comments calling law enforcement 'opportunistic cowards' in a 2020 Reddit post. The post, made under the handle 'P-Hustle,' criticized the Hancock County Sheriff's Department for seeking approval to purchase riot gear amid Black Lives Matter protests that turned violent in some areas. Platner, then 35, dismissed the sheriff's request as 'ridiculous' and described law enforcement officers as 'overweight pansies' and 'George Stevens Academy sophomores and aging hippies.'
The post, archived by The Maine Monitor, is the latest in a series of anti-law enforcement remarks Platner made as an adult, raising questions about his fitness for office. State Rep. Donald Ardell (R-Maine), a retired federal special agent, criticized Platner's comments, stating they show a 'complete lack of understanding of how law enforcement operates.' Ardell noted widespread disgust among law enforcement officers over Platner's remarks.
Platner is running against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the upcoming election. His campaign has faced scrutiny over past controversies, including domestic abuse allegations, racially charged comments, and a Nazi tattoo. Critics argue his progressive policies, including higher taxes, would exacerbate Maine's cost-of-living crisis.