BOMBSHELL: Maine Senate Frontrunner Hit With Backlash Over Hamas Praise Posts

A rising Democratic star in one of the nation’s most important Senate races is suddenly on defense after resurfaced online comments triggered a wave of backlash just weeks before voters head to the polls.

Maine Senate frontrunner Graham Platner is facing intense scrutiny after archived Reddit posts, first reported by Jewish Insider, showed him praising a deadly 2014 Hamas raid on Israeli soldiers in strikingly positive terms. The comments are now threatening to reshape a race that Democrats view as a prime opportunity to flip a key Republican-held seat.

According to the report, Platner commented on footage posted to the r/CombatFootage forum at the time of the attack, offering what critics say reads as admiration for the operation. In one post, he wrote, “Looks like an all around well executed and successful small unit raid to me.”

In another, more pointed remark, Platner added, “From a strictly professional standpoint, this was a damn fine looking and successful raid against a superior opponent, I dig it.”

The video reportedly showed Hamas terrorists ambushing Israeli soldiers, killing several and attempting to kidnap one. The comments, now more than a decade old, have resurfaced at a politically volatile moment as tensions surrounding Israel and Hamas remain front and center in U.S. politics.

Platner’s Reddit account tied to the posts has since been deleted, a move that is drawing additional attention as critics question why the account was removed just as scrutiny over his past intensifies.

So far, Platner’s campaign has not directly addressed the specific Hamas-related comments. However, his team has previously pushed back on broader criticism tied to old online posts, arguing voters should not judge him based on statements made more than a decade ago.

“Mainers know that Graham should not be defined by the worst thing he said on the internet over a decade ago,” a campaign spokesperson said in response to earlier controversies.

But this latest revelation may prove more difficult to contain.

Platner is not an underdog candidate flying under the radar. He has emerged as the clear progressive favorite in Maine’s Democratic primary, holding a commanding lead over Gov. Janet Mills in recent polling. An Emerson College survey released in March showed Platner ahead 55% to 28%, positioning him as the likely nominee heading into the June primary.

Maine’s Senate race is widely viewed as one of the most competitive contests in the country, with Democrats targeting Republican Sen. Susan Collins as they look to chip away at the GOP’s Senate majority. A nominee weighed down by controversy could complicate those efforts and give Republicans a potent line of attack heading into the general election.

The resurfaced posts also intersect with Platner’s broader political profile. He has previously drawn attention for sharp criticism of Israel and has described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a genocide, positions that have already sparked debate within the Democratic Party.

With early voting approaching and the primary just weeks away, Platner now faces a critical test: whether he can maintain his frontrunner status while answering questions about a past that opponents are eager to keep in the spotlight.

For now, he remains ahead.