ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

JUNE 9, 2026 23:03

Graham Platner concluded his push for the Maine Democratic Senate nomination on Tuesday by renewing his focus on AIPAC, the influential pro-Israel lobbying group and donor network.

His initial digital advertisement from August highlighted that unlike rivals he would never secure AIPAC backing because he viewed Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. In recent days he implied that AIPAC contributions had left his Republican foe under the influence of Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting antisemitism charges from several Jewish organizations.

Throughout the contest Platner has drawn repeated scrutiny tied to Israel and Jewish issues. Fresh accounts of his earlier conduct with women have also stirred anti-Israel commentary from backers while dividing Democratic backing for the oyster farmer and newcomer whose energetic campaign has concerned many Jewish figures.

Voters in Maine now head to the polls amid prominent questions about Israel and antisemitism claims.

Progressive supporters fuel debate amid repeated controversies

At 41 Platner positioned himself as a populist seeking to bring fresh progressive momentum to a Senate contest featuring an incumbent Republican and the establishment Democratic choice Governor Janet Mills both in their seventies. Mills halted her primary effort as Platner rose in surveys yet stays on the ballot. In a cycle marked by rising anti-Israel language on the left Platner who has Jewish relatives including a stepbrother in Israel employed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies leaned into the position by centering genocide claims in his speeches.

This approach won backing in certain circles. A widely shared clip from a weekend event showed a Platner advocate downplaying concerns about his earlier Totenkopf tattoo a skull-and-crossbones emblem associated with Nazi concentration camp guards which he covered earlier this year after backlash even while maintaining he had been unaware of its Nazi links.

The supporter then claimed that an alternate tattoo would have been unacceptable to her an Israeli flag.

I oppose genocide and so does he and that would indicate inconsistency the woman stated to the New York Sun.

The exchange drew sharp reactions. Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey who is Jewish posted on X questioning whether an Israeli flag tattoo could be viewed as more problematic than a Nazi symbol and declaring such views have no place in the Democratic Party.

Pro-Israel contributors have countered by bolstering Republican Senator Susan Collins financial resources.

Platner posted on June 1 that one third of Collins recent fundraising came straight from AIPAC and labeled her as influenced by Benjamin Netanyahu in her voting.

Collins has identified as generally pro-Israel yet cast a key vote for legislation to halt the shared U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran. OpenSecrets verified through Federal Election Commission records that a third of her quarterly donations arrived via individuals routing gifts through the pro-Israel lobby with a modest direct contribution from its super PAC.

Platner's post nevertheless drew strong rebuke for framing AIPAC as an extension of Israeli control instead of American donors who back Israel.

The Anti-Defamation League described the statement as echoing longstanding antisemitic tropes of dual loyalty that question Jewish Americans allegiance to the United States over Israel.

The Nexus Project another antisemitism monitor also faulted the remark.

Jonathan Jacoby Nexus president told JTA that implying the Israeli government directly purchases or controls politicians via AIPAC funding or American donors is overly simplistic and inaccurate.

Platner persisted on Saturday by targeting fellow Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania a firm Israel advocate who had faulted Platner on CNN suggesting a clear Nazi tattoo would indicate Nazi sympathies.

Platner replied that Fetterman had turned into an agent for AIPAC and Republicans.

A Platner campaign representative responded to queries on the AIPAC language by stressing the candidate's broader goal of removing money from politics including from private equity billionaires corporations and super PACs.

Amid growing controversies Platner conferred with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last week to build Democratic leadership support. Schumer who is Jewish and positions himself as a leader against antisemitism had indicated backing for Platner after Mills exit but avoided direct answers on his confidence level when speaking to reporters.

Backers allege Israel influence in critical coverage

Certain anti-Israel voices have framed the scrutiny as part of an Israeli effort to block Platner from office.

Progressive commentator Cenk Uygur posted on Friday that critics of Platner especially Democrats should be viewed as working for Israel and suggested Democratic attacks on their own nominee occur only under external direction.

Supporters also pushed back following a New York Times report featuring multiple former girlfriends who described abusive and bullying actions in past relationships.

The article prominently featured Lyndsey Fifield a Republican operative and ex-Heritage Foundation staffer who asserted Platner had recognized the Totenkopf tattoo's meaning during their relationship contrary to his public statements. She recalled him referring to it as my Totenkopf and shared messages indicating her earlier reference to it as a Nazi symbol.

Fifield texted friends last summer that Platner has a Nazi tattoo on his chest described as a Totenkopf and vowed to campaign for Collins according to the Times.

Platner denied Fifield's assertions in interviews with Maine public radio and MS NOW while struggling to reconcile the timeline of her messages. A campaign spokesperson referenced a prior JTA interview where he highlighted his direct family ties to Judaism and positive links to Jewish traditions and questioned Fifield as the primary source on his tattoo knowledge.

Fifield told JTA she has been a vocal Zionist and proud conservative since college both true during her time with Platner and noted her closeness to Jewish conservative commentator Bethany Mandel with whom she co-hosted a podcast.

She added to JTA that if rejecting antisemitism sparks conspiracy theories it reveals something troubling about the culture.

Some defenders suggested the Times piece was driven by pro-Israel opponents. Commentator Mehdi Hasan labeled Fifield an anti-Palestinian racist and bigot citing her tweet mocking a Palestinian museum and questioning Palestinian accomplishments beyond terrorism.

Others noted that reporter Katie Glueck had served as co-president of Students for Israel at Northwestern University when the group received an AIPAC Activist of the Year award in 2009.

Marcus Stanley of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft tweeted that the most striking element was the Times assigning a former AIPAC award recipient to cover unsubstantiated claims from a Republican activist about a candidate critical of Israel.

A New York Times spokesperson defended Glueck's role in a statement to JTA.

Charlie Stadtlander wrote that Glueck has covered politics for over a decade with incisive reporting and approached the Platner story with the same independence as her other work.

Stadtlander affirmed the Times stands by its reporting on accounts from Fifield and other women providing insight into a major Senate candidate's conduct.

The ongoing criticism has cooled enthusiasm among some Democrats about Platner's potential to flip the seat. Even Representative Ro Khanna a leading Israel critic offered measured remarks on CBS News Face the Nation stating supporters should not target accusers or New York Times journalists.

Khanna noted the reporters have covered him critically as journalists do and emphasized the party's commitment to equality and respect for women.

He nonetheless signaled continued support noting Platner has taken accountability and spoke at a Maine rally for him over the weekend.

While Platner lacks many prominent Jewish backers in Maine and the Jewish Democratic Council of America has withheld endorsement one visible Jewish ally Steven Koltai chair of J Street Maine who organized a Passover seder with the campaign affirmed his support.

Koltai told JTA he remains firmly in Camp Platner.

He compared the situation to lowered standards under President Trump suggesting the bar for office has dropped dramatically.

On Platner's AIPAC comments regarding Collins Koltai noted that her votes on Israel aid rank low among his concerns with her record.