Senate Candidate Graham Platner Faces Criticism Over Past Comments About Law Enforcement

Graham Platner, a Senate candidate in Maine, is receiving criticism for comments he made in a deleted Reddit post where he referred to law enforcement as "opportunistic cowards." The remarks were made in June 2020 in response to a proposal by the Hancock County Sheriff's Department to purchase riot gear amid Black Lives Matter protests. Platner, who described the sheriff's request as "ridiculous," has faced scrutiny for similar comments about law enforcement and other controversial statements throughout his campaign. State Representative Donald Ardell criticized Platner's remarks, stating they reflect a lack of understanding of law enforcement operations. Platner has attributed some of his comments to being taken out of context and has suggested they were made in jest. His campaign has not responded to requests for comment. The resurfacing of these comments comes as Platner faces additional scrutiny regarding his personal conduct and past relationships.