Despite recent controversies, Platner has a huge lead in a recent poll and is drawing big crowds, while the two-term governor Mills is counting on her experience and achievements.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s former political director said his campaign offered her $15,000 to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) prior to her exit from the campaign, Politico reported. Newsweek contacted the political director, Genevieve McDonald, and Platner’s campaign for comment via Facebook message and email.

A second Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine dropped out of the race to endorse Gov. Janet Mills — but this time because of controversial past remarks from popular political newcomer Graham Platner.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire for a tattoo resembling the Nazi SS Totenkopf, which he says he got unknowingly during a drunken trip as a Marine. The controversy follows resurfaced offensive Reddit posts,

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) said Monday his past Reddit comments were meant “to get a rise out of people.” “That was me trying to get a rise out of people on the Internet,” Platner

In his video addressing the posts, Graham Platner said the comments were made during “an earlier part of” his life, and he no longer agrees with them.