Graham Platner Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Tattoo, Reddit, Net Worth
Graham Platner Biography
Graham Platner (born 1984) is a veteran-turned-oyster-farmer and Democratic political candidate from Maine. He hails from the coastal town of Sullivan, Maine and committed eight years to the U.S. Military after high school.
In 2003 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, deployed to Iraq with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines. He later joined the Maryland Army National Guard and served a tour in Afghanistan.
After active service, Platner enrolled at The George Washington University under the GI Bill. He returned to Maine and embraced aquaculture, taking over the Waukeag Neck Oyster Company in 2019. He now runs the business and works as harbormaster in Sullivan.
In August 2025 Platner announced his bid in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, aiming to unseat long-time Republican Susan Collins. He launched his campaign with a populist message that emphasizes working-class concerns and economic inequality.
Platner’s key policy themes include supporting veterans’ benefits, pursuing affordable housing, endorsing universal health care, and opposing corporate influence in politics. He frames the economic system as favouring the ultra-wealthy and pledges to challenge it from the Senate.
His personal journey—from serving overseas to farming oysters in Maine—anchors his message: a candidate rooted in real-world experience rather than political elitism. He lives in Sullivan with his family and remains grounded in his community.
Overall, Graham Platner represents a blend of military service, local business ownership, and political ambition targeted at the working class. His campaign may reshape how rural, veteran and non-traditional voters engage with the Democratic Party.
Graham Platner Age | How old is Graham Platner?
Graham Platner was born in 1984, which makes him about 41 years old as of 2025. He stands out in the race as a relatively young leader with real-world experience. As a military veteran and oyster-farmer, his age underlines his blend of fresh perspective and practical service. With his Senate campaign underway, his age positions him as both a rising voice and a credible working-class advocate.
Graham Platner Height
As of 2025, Graham Platner’s exact height remains undisclosed in public records and media profiles. However, his commanding presence reflects his military background and leadership experience. Standing with confidence during campaign events, Platner projects authority and approachability. While his height is unknown, his strong personality and public service record continue to define his image as a dedicated Maine Senate candidate.
Graham Platner Education
Graham Platner attended John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, Maine, where his classmates named him “Most Likely to Start a Revolution.” After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2003. Later, he enrolled at The George Washington University under the GI Bill. However, he eventually withdrew to return home to Maine and rebuild his life. Throughout, his education reflects working-class determination, military service and real-world experience rather than a traditional degree path.
Graham Platner Wife
Graham Platner married his wife, Amy Gertner, in the autumn of 2024. She worked previously as an elementary and middle-school art teacher. Then she became the business manager of their joint oyster-farm venture, Waukeag Neck Oyster Company. Together they live in Sullivan, Maine, and co-operate the farm and business. Their partnership brings his veteran and entrepreneurial background together with her educational and managerial experience.
Graham Platner Children | Kids
As of 2025, Graham Platner has not shared any information about having children. Public sources and campaign profiles mention no kids. He instead highlights his strong family values and commitment to community life in Sullivan, Maine. Alongside his wife, Amy Gertner, he focuses on growing their Waukeag Neck Oyster Company and serving Maine families through leadership, service, and dedication to working-class values.
Graham Platner Family | Parents, Siblings & Maine Roots
Graham Platner grew up in Sullivan, Maine, in a working-class coastal family environment. His father, Bronson Platner, worked as a lawyer and his mother, Leslie Harlow, ran a restaurant. Meanwhile, Platner is the elder brother in a family of at least two sons. Thus, his sibling experience shaped his early sense of responsibility and leadership. Overall, his family background reinforces his appeal as a grounded Maine candidate with deep-rooted connections to community and service.
Graham Platner Tattoo Controversy
Graham Platner, the Maine Senate candidate, has a chest tattoo that recently sparked public scrutiny. Featured in a video at his brother’s wedding, the tattoo depicts a skull and crossbones symbol known as the “Totenkopf”, which was historically used by Nazi military units.
In comments on the podcast Pod Save America, Platner explained he got the tattoo in 2007 during a leave in Croatia while serving in the Marines and said he and fellow Marines “chose a terrifying skull off the wall.”
He stressed, however, “I am not a secret Nazi.” He said he did not understand the symbol’s Nazi association at the time.
Critics argue the design’s link to extremist imagery raises serious concerns about judgment and awareness for a public office candidate.
Meanwhile, supporters and some observers note there’s no direct evidence he subscribed to Nazi ideology, though they call for greater transparency and possibly “removal or cover-up” of the tattoo.
Graham Platner Reddit Posts | What the Maine Senate Candidate Said and Why It Matters
Graham Platner, the Maine Senate candidate, faced scrutiny after old Reddit posts resurfaced between 2013 and 2021. He admitted the posts included calling himself a “communist”, labeling cops “bastards”, and describing rural white Americans as “racist and stupid”.
Although he deleted his Reddit account around 2020–21, the comments came under review during his campaign. He explained that his remarks were part of a “difficult period” after military service and that his views have since changed.
Supporters highlight Platner’s apology and emphasize his veteran background and small business ownership. Meanwhile, critics argue the Reddit posts raise genuine concerns about judgment and temperament.
In short, while the Reddit controversy doesn’t end his campaign, it has become a significant talking point. Therefore his digital footprint now factors heavily into perceptions of his fitness for office.
Graham Platner Polls | Early Numbers in the Maine Senate Race
Early polling including Graham Platner shows him tied at 38% with Susan Collins in a 2026 general-election matchup. Meanwhile, one internal survey claims Platner leads Collins by 12 points among Democratic primary voters. Although his name recognition stands at about 40%, he remains far behind Collins’ long-term visibility in Maine politics. Yet his fundraising surge and campaign momentum suggest that polls may tighten notably by the primary season.
Graham Platner Campaign
Graham Platner launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine on August 19, 2025. He emphasizes his background as an oyster farmer, military veteran, and working-class Maine resident. His campaign raised over $1 million in the first nine days, with 98% of donations under $100. Moreover, he received key endorsements, including from Bernie Sanders, boosting his profile. At town-hall events, he draws hundreds of supporters and emphasizes grassroots organizing over establishment politics. While he faces controversy over past online posts, his campaign keeps pushing a populist, anti-oligarchy message. He positions himself as a change-agent ready to challenge both entrenched elite power and longtime incumbent Susan Collins.
Graham Platner on Pod Save America | Key Moments from the Interview
During his appearance on Pod Save America, Graham Platner addressed his past internet posts candidly. He admitted his Reddit comments aimed to “get a rise out of people on the internet.” He also discussed his tattoo controversy, explaining he got the design in 2007 and didn’t understand the Nazi-linked symbol until recently. Moreover, he emphasized his military service and working-class roots while rejecting labels like “establishment politician.” His interview stirred fresh discussion in his Maine Senate campaign.
Graham Platner Net Worth
Graham Platner’s net worth is around $1 million. He earns from his successful oyster farming business and veteran’s pension. Platner owns Waukeag Neck Oyster Company in Maine, a key source of his income. He also serves as the harbormaster in Sullivan, Maine, adding to his financial stability. Despite his growing profile, Platner maintains modest, working-class roots, emphasizing honesty and transparency about his financial journey.
