Politics in Maine is usually about as predictable as the tides, but the 2026 election cycle took a weird, permanent turn when Graham Platner's Maine tattoo became the biggest talking point in the state. If you haven't been following the local news or the national pundits screaming on cable, here's the deal: Platner is a 41-year-old military veteran and oyster farmer who decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He’s a progressive populist, the kind of guy who talks about ending "forever wars" and rebuilding the working class.
But then a video surfaced. Specifically, a video of him dancing in his underwear at a wedding.
The video wasn't the problem—honestly, everyone has a cringe moment at a wedding—but the ink on his chest was. Right there on his left pec was a skull and crossbones that looked suspiciously like a Totenkopf, the "death's head" symbol used by the Nazi SS.
Naturally, the internet did what it does. It exploded.
The Backstory of the Infamous Ink
So, where did this thing come from? According to Platner, the story starts way back in 2007. He was a young Marine on leave in Split, Croatia. Like a lot of guys in their early 20s with a bit too much booze in their system and a desire to look "terrifying," he and some buddies walked into a tattoo parlor. They picked a design off the wall.
"We chose a terrifying-looking skull and crossbones off the wall because we were Marines," Platner explained in an interview. He says they didn't think twice about it. They got the tattoos, finished their leave, and went back to their lives.
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He didn't think about it for nearly 20 years.
Why didn't the military catch it?
This is the part that trips people up. If you've ever been in the service, you know they check for this stuff. Platner claims that when he later enlisted in the Army, he went through a full physical examination that looks for hate symbols. He even passed a background check for a security clearance to join the Ambassador to Afghanistan’s security detail.
The military never flagged it.
His defenders use this as proof that the resemblance wasn't obvious or that it was a genuine mistake. His critics, however, point out that Platner is a self-described "military history buff." They argue it’s hard to believe someone so well-versed in history wouldn't recognize one of the most infamous symbols of the 20th century.
The Rapid-Fire Cover-Up in Maine
When the controversy hit the fan in late 2025, Platner didn't just hide. He did something pretty unusual for a politician: he went on a podcast, Pod Save America, and talked about it before the "opposition research" teams could leak it.
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He promised to get it removed. But laser removal is a slow process—we’re talking months or even years of sessions. In the middle of a high-stakes primary against Governor Janet Mills, Platner didn't have that kind of time.
Enter Mischa Ostberg
He called up a friend, a tattoo artist named Mischa Ostberg who works out of Ghost Rose Tattoo in Ellsworth, Maine. Ostberg has known Platner for years and basically said, "Yeah, let's fix this."
The process was reportedly a bit of a nightmare. Because the original tattoo was heavy on black ink, they couldn't just put a tiny flower over it. Ostberg had to sketch a design using a Sharpie right on Platner's skin to figure out how to hide the skull.
The result? A massive Celtic knot that covers the majority of the original image, with a dog jumping out over the top. The design was inspired by Platner's Scottish heritage and his love for his two dogs.
What the Controversy Means for 2026
The Graham Platner Maine tattoo saga is about more than just some bad ink from a drunken night in Croatia. It’s become a litmus test for the Democratic party.
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On one side, you have the "establishment" folks and some advocacy groups, like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), who find the presence of the symbol—regardless of intent—extremely troubling. They argue that a U.S. Senator should have better judgment.
On the other side, you have figures like Bernie Sanders and Ruben Gallego, who have largely stood by him. Their argument is basically: "People make mistakes, they grow up, and we need more 'normal' people in office, not just polished politicians who have never had a messy moment in their lives."
The Current Landscape
As of early 2026, Platner is still in the race. He's actually seen a surge in fundraising and poll numbers since the controversy. It seems a lot of Maine voters find his "I'm a regular guy who did something stupid" defense more relatable than disqualifying.
Whether this helps him unseat a long-term incumbent like Susan Collins remains to be seen. But for now, the Celtic knot on his chest is a permanent reminder of how a single decision in a Croatian tattoo shop two decades ago can nearly derail a political career.
Practical Insights for the Public
If you find yourself in a similar situation—maybe not running for Senate, but perhaps looking at an old tattoo that no longer represents who you are—here’s what the Platner situation teaches us about modern cover-ups:
- Act Fast, but be Smart: Platner chose a cover-up over removal because it was immediate. If you're in a time crunch (like a job interview or, you know, a primary election), a cover-up is the way to go, but it will almost always be larger and darker than the original.
- Consult an Expert: Don't just go to any shop. Cover-ups are a specific skill set. Look for artists like Ostberg who specialize in "working with what's there."
- Heritage and Personal Meaning: Using elements like a Celtic knot or a personal pet can make the new piece feel like it belongs to your current self, rather than just being a "patch" over a mistake.
- Transparency Matters: In the age of the internet, nothing stays hidden. If you have a tattoo that could be misinterpreted, being upfront about it is usually better than waiting for someone to find it.
The Graham Platner Maine tattoo story isn't over yet, but it’s already a masterclass in crisis management and the complicated reality of being a "human" candidate in a digital world.
If you are looking for local artists in Maine who handle cover-up work, search for shops in the Ellsworth or Portland areas with portfolios specifically showcasing blast-overs or heavy blackwork transformations. Many artists at Ghost Rose and similar studios are used to helping people move on from the "drunken mistake" era of their lives.