A growing divide inside the Democratic Party spilled into public view Monday after Rep. Jake Auchincloss declined to support Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner in Maine’s closely watched Senate race, citing controversy surrounding a tattoo critics said resembled a Nazi symbol.
Speaking with CNN’s Boris Sanchez, Auchincloss — who is Jewish — said he viewed the issue as more than just a political liability, calling it personally disqualifying.
“I’ve been clear about Graham Platner,” Auchincloss said. “I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying.”
The Massachusetts Democrat went further, warning his own party against embracing what he described as Platner’s political brand. Auchincloss argued Democrats risk alienating voters if they move too far toward ideological extremes or controversial figures in pursuit of short-term political momentum.
“I hope Maine voters agree with me,” he added. “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.”
Platner, a U.S. Army veteran turned oyster farmer, has faced scrutiny over a chest tattoo that critics claimed resembled the Totenkopf, a symbol historically associated with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi troops during World War II. After backlash intensified last year, Platner said he had no prior knowledge of the symbol’s connection to Nazi Germany.
“I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that,” Platner said last October. “And to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed.”
The Democratic hopeful said he first learned of the alleged resemblance from “reporters and D.C. insiders.” He later covered the tattoo after criticism mounted.
The controversy has added to a string of questions surrounding Platner’s past online comments. Several years ago, the candidate made posts on Reddit in which he referred to himself as a “communist” and called police officers “bastards.” The resurfaced posts drew criticism from opponents and renewed debate over the increasingly activist tone emerging in parts of the Democratic Party.
Appearing on the podcast “Pod Save America” last fall, Platner attempted to distance himself from those remarks, saying the posts were intended to provoke reactions online and did not reflect his actual beliefs at the time.
Despite the controversy, Platner remains widely expected to win Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on June 9. If successful, he would move on to face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the November election.
Asked directly whether he could still support Platner if it meant defeating Collins, Auchincloss refused to budge, saying principles matter more than party loyalty.
“Values and principles always come before party,” he said.
Auchincloss then pointed to Republicans’ support for President Donald Trump beginning in 2016, arguing that party leaders ignored warning signs for political convenience.
“We saw Republicans forget that lesson with Donald Trump in 2016 and how much damage it’s done to the country,” Auchincloss said. “I will never forget that lesson.”
The Massachusetts congressman instead highlighted his support for Texas Democrat James Talarico, whom he described as part of a new generation working to reshape the Democratic Party. Talarico recently won Texas’s Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Jasmine Crockett and will face the eventual Republican nominee in November.
That GOP contest remains unsettled, with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a runoff race backed heavily by Trump.
Auchincloss expressed confidence Democrats could compete in Texas regardless of the Republican nominee, predicting Talarico would prevail in the general election.
The public clash highlights the broader identity struggle underway inside the Democratic Party as it attempts to balance activist energy, ideological purity, and electability heading into another bitter national election cycle already marked by deep political divisions and growing voter exhaustion with constant partisan warfare.
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