Despite controversies revolving around misogyny, his Nazi tattoo, online infidelity, and admiration for a Hamas terror attack, far-left candidate Graham Platner sweeps Senate primary in Maine.By World Israel News StaffGraham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer who faced scrutiny during the campaign over past online comments, allegations about his personal conduct and a tattoo later identified as a Nazi symbol, won Maine’s Democratic US Senate primary on Tuesday.Platner will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, in the November election. The race is expected to draw national attention because Collins is one of the few Republican senators running this year in a state carried by Democrats in recent presidential elections.Platner defeated the remaining Democratic field after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot. Reuters reported that Platner won about 72 percent of the vote.In a victory speech in Blue Hill, Platner addressed the criticism he has faced and presented his campaign as a case for political and personal change.“If you believe, as I do, that we can change our politics and change our country, then you must also believe that people can change,” he told supporters.Platner entered the race as a political newcomer and built support with a populist campaign focused on the cost of living, health care, corporate power and opposition to foreign policy positions backed by much of the Democratic establishment. He was endorsed by prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.His campaign also drew attention from Jewish and pro-Israel groups over his criticism of Israel and opposition to US military aid for Israel.Platner has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and has criticized AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group. AIPAC warned earlier in the campaign that Platner and other progressive candidates posed a threat to the US-Israel relationship.The most visible controversy around Platner’s candidacy centered on a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest.Platner has also faced allegations of abusive behavior toward women. Those allegations became an issue in the closing stretch of the primary, after former partners and former campaign associates raised concerns about his conduct.In addition to his sharp criticism of Israel, Platner previously expressed admiration for a terrorist attack carried out by Hamas, writing in 2014 that the attack was a “damn fine looking and successful raid.”Democrats have long targeted Collins’ seat as one of their better opportunities to win a Republican-held Senate seat.General election polling shows Platner with a single-digit lead over Collins, with the RealClearPolitics rolling average of polls giving Platner a 7.4-point advantage.However, Collins has outperformed polling in previous elections, including in the 2020 election cycle, when surveys showed Democrat Sara Gideon with a consistent lead from July onward.Despite leading Collins by an average of 6.5 points in September, according to the RealClearPolitics average, Gideon lost to Collins by 8.5 points.The post Anti-Israel Democrat with Nazi tattoo clinches Senate primary in Maine appeared first on World Israel News.