Maine Senate candidate promoted violent political action in since-deleted online posts - Politico
Original story by: Politico
Last updated: Oct 17, 2025
Ad
- Context: Maine Senate candidate Mike Platner is facing scrutiny over deleted Reddit posts made on forums like r/SocialistRA, where he identified as a communist and expressed anti-police sentiments. These posts, made before his Senate bid, suggest deeper ties to socialist groups than previously disclosed.
Ad
Ad
- Detailed Summary:
- Platner's past Reddit activity, revealed by CNN and POLITICO, includes posts where he called himself a communist and stated "all police are bastards" on the subreddit r/SocialistRA.
- These posts were deleted months before Platner launched his Senate campaign and have been verified through archives and cross-referencing biographical details.
- Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and small business owner, is challenging an incumbent. He has previously stated he rejects the "liberal" label but supports progressive policies like universal healthcare and restricted arms sales to Israel.
- In response to the revelations, Platner acknowledged authoring the posts but disavowed their violent rhetoric, stating he was "fucking around on the internet" during a period of disillusionment and made "dumb jokes." He also identified as a "retired shitposter."
- The posts resurface amid a climate of political violence and inflammatory rhetoric, referencing a similar incident involving Virginia Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones.
- One deleted post from September 2018 on r/SocialistRA advised a user concerned about purchasing an AR-15 to "fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle," emphasizing the importance of history.
- In another deleted post from July 2018 on the same subreddit, Platner agreed with a quote from Eugene V. Debs advocating for workers to arm themselves to avoid "abject slavery." He argued that an "armed working class is a requirement for economic justice."
- On the r/politics subreddit in September 2018, under the username P-Hustle, Platner wrote "Get Armed, Get Organized. The Other Side Sure As Hell Is," in response to an incident where a Democratic candidate's truck was shot at.
- Platner, a political newcomer and Iraq/Afghanistan War veteran, has gained attention from younger Democrats and progressives, securing endorsements from labor unions. His campaign has emphasized his outsider status and critique of the incumbent.
- The scrutiny over Platner's posts, particularly those discussing arming the working class and fighting fascism, is heightened due to current concerns over political violence.
- The article also briefly mentions Jay Jones' apology for past violent rhetoric and suggestions against Republican opponents, drawing a parallel to the scrutiny Platner now faces.
Ad
Ad