by Jonathan Reisman

Sullivan oyster farmer and Democratic socialist Graham Platner is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Collins. He has money ($3.4 million in “small” donations claimed, no breakdown of in-state vs. out-of-state offered), energy, charisma, youth (born 1984), veteran status (100% disabled, three tours in Iraq as a Marine, one tour in Afghanistan in the Army), digital chops, and fire in his belly. He held a town hall in Calais on Oct. 6, and I left believing him to be the likely Democratic nominee.

More than 200 mostly gray Washington County supporters turned out at the Calais community center to hear the shorts and flip-flop attired Platner promote Democratic socialism and class warfare on behalf of the working class while attacking President Trump, Senator Collins, Israel, capitalism, and corporate greed. Calais mayor Marcia Rogers gave Platner a warm and flattering introduction.

Platner spoke from notes and answered questions for almost an hour. He outlined the following policy priorities:

• Social Security: remove the cap and tax every penny earned;
• Affordability of housing, healthcare, and food to be improved by Federal action;
• Health care and housing are human rights;
• Medicare for all;
• Raise Federal minimum wage;
• Focus on working people/promote union membership;
• Reinstate Roe v. Wade as Federal statute.

The first question came from one of the few attendees under 50. A young woman asked why he wasn’t running as a socialist, in that his platform was all about socialism. Platner responded that he was running as a Democrat because he was a Democrat, and he needed party support and fundraising to defeat Senator Collins. He mentioned Act Blue by name.

I came armed with some pointed questions, but was not recognized. I shared the questions with the campaign:

1.  Do you believe that people who are in the country illegally should be eligible to receive taxpayer-subsidized health care coverage?  (no answer yet)

2. I know that you have said that you support rights for transgender Americans.  Does that include allowing all athletes who identify as female to compete in girls' and women's sports? (no answer yet) 

3. Would you support legalizing any drug that is currently illegal for personal use outside a medical context besides marijuana? (no answer yet)

4. What is your position on Question #1 Voter ID — yes or no? (campaign appears to be No on 1)

5. What is your position on Question #2 Red Flag Law — yes or no? (no discussion by campaign at all)

6. Why are you a better choice to challenge Senator Collins than Governor Mills? (not a traditional politician) 

7. Gov. Mills allowed Maine to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact without her signature. Do you support assigning Maine's electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote, as opposed to who Mainers in each Congressional district vote for? Would you introduce legislation for Congressional consent, as required by Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution? (no answer, despite having had this question at a previous online town hall)

Governor Mills is reportedly going to enter the Senate Democratic primary contest. I believe that Platner will make her look old and out of touch, which may be his general election strategy, as well. Gov. Mills should be favored, but I believe Platner will defeat her if she runs because he truly believes in what he is promoting and can communicate that vision, however erroneous and wrongheaded I and others may find it. I don’t think Janet can do the same, and Democratic voters will be able to smell it.