Maine Senate representative Platner embraces democratic socialism, attacks Collins
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Maine Senator Graham Platner appeared along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., on Monday also echoed several progressive themes of Sanders’ style, criticizing the fifth Republican Senator Susan Collins, and criticizing the use of US weapons related to the conflicts in Gaza and Iran.
Platner, a Democratic frontrunner seeking to unseat Collins in November, made the tirade during a Sanders-led “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Portland — an event aimed at rallying progressive activists and expanding grassroots organizing efforts ahead of the midterm elections. The Portland event was one of Sanders’ Maine stops with Platner and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.
During the rally, Platner leaned heavily on anti-corporate rhetoric, telling the crowd of cheering progressives they must create a “political revolution” and take back “what’s ours.”
“We’re giving back what’s ours. We’re going to give it back to the profit-seeking companies, no matter how much it costs the billionaires who are their target, and to the corrupt politicians like Susan Collins, the corrupt politicians who sold us out,” said Platner.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., shakes hands with Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner during a “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Portland, Maine, on May 25, 2026. (WFVX/WVII)
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“It’s a show that is the politics of Susan Collins, the politics that answers to billionaire politicians, but tells you to be grateful for the crumbs.”
Throughout the night, Platner echoed Sanders’ economic points, accusing health insurance executives of “lining their pockets with our blood, sweat, and tears.”
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Graham Platner, left, pictured next to Seni. Susan Collins, R-Maine, right. (Graeme Sloan/Getty Images; Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
He also had harsh words regarding the Middle East, saying that American tax dollars were being used to “blow up somebody else’s children.”
“Our tax dollars can build schools and hospitals in America instead of the bombs they will drop on Gaza and Iran,” he said.
Sanders later took the stage and cast Platner’s election as a pivotal moment for the progressive movement, telling supporters, “You elect Graham Platner Senator, you’re going to change America.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders responds to questions from reporters in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The Vermont senator has clearly tied Platner to his tax proposals targeting the super-rich.
“I’m introducing legislation, Graham will be on my side in the fight, which says we will put a 5% wealth tax on the 938 billionaires in America,” said Sanders. Sanders introduced legislation earlier this year raising an annual wealth tax of 5% on America’s 938 billionaires.
Platner has also been portrayed as an ally in the fight against big tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, warning that “a handful of billionaires” could control the future of artificial intelligence and robotics.
“Graham understands… we’re not going to let a few billionaires control the future of this country,” Sanders said.
