Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) said a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol on Democratic candidate Graham Platner is disqualifying for a U.S. Senate run.
The controversy centers on whether a candidate's past imagery reflects current beliefs or a lapse in judgment, potentially impacting the Democratic primary in Maine.
Auchincloss made the comments Monday during an appearance on the Rising TV show. He said the tattoo is disqualifying and said he would not vote for Platner [1], [2].
Platner responded to the allegations by saying the tattoo has been covered up [3], [4]. According to reports, Platner received the tattoo in 2007 while he was deployed overseas with the Marines [5]. He said the tattoo was covered in 2025 [5].
The nature of the image remains a point of contention. Some reports say the tattoo is widely recognized as a Nazi symbol [3], [4]. Other accounts suggest that while posts claim the image is a Nazi symbol, that description does not provide the full story [5].
Platner said the covered image no longer reflects the symbol in question [3], [4]. The dispute has highlighted internal tensions within the party as the Maine Senate race progresses.
“The tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol is 'disqualifying.'”
This conflict illustrates the high political risk associated with hate symbols, even those from a candidate's distant past. The disagreement between the sources regarding whether the image is definitively a Nazi symbol or subject to interpretation suggests a battle over the narrative of Platner's character and his suitability for federal office.
