Democrat congressman slams Graham Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo as 'disqualifying'

Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass, delivered a sharp rebuke of Maine candidate Graham Platner, breaking with his party over the Senate hopeful's Nazi-linked tattoo.

"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," the Massachusetts lawmaker continued.

Platner, the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee in the battleground Senate race, has faced months of scrutiny over the controversial chest tattoo that he had for most of his adult life.

Platner, a former Army and Marine Corps veteran, got the tattoo in 2007 during a night of drinking while stationed in Croatia. 

Auchincloss, a Jewish lawmaker representing a Boston-area seat, is among the relatively few Democrats who have publicly criticized Platner for his tattoo and past controversial statements.

He became the first Democratic lawmaker to call on Platner to exit the race in October 2025 after Platner's tattoo and past controversial statements came to light.

Meanwhile, leading progressives, including Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have vigorously supported his campaign.

Auchincloss clarified in a statement posted on social media Tuesday that he does not support Collins' Senate campaign.

"Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history," he wrote. "Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers."

A spokesperson for the Platner campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.