Where Did Graham Platner Come From? Inside Democrats’ Riskiest Senate Race | WSJ

Graham Platner was a political unknown less than a year ago. Since then, the military combat veteran has vaulted to the front of Maine's Senate race riding on an agenda to tax the rich and offer government-funded healthcare to all Americans. And he's done it entirely outside the Democratic party's establishment, handpicked by a group of independent activists — Daniel Moraff, Leanne Fan and Morris Katz. WSJ's Aaron Zitner reports from Maine and New York on how these activists are recruiting working-class candidates across the country to promote their agenda. In Platner, they found a strong messenger -- but one with a string of controversies that have made him one of the Democrats' riskiest candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. Chapters: 0:00 Who is Graham Planter? 1:22 Early campaign days and controversies 3:02 The activist couple who found Platner 9:24 Morris Katz on why Platner is worth the risk 13:29 The road to November Read more about the rise of Graham Platner here: https://on.wsj.com/4erZJlL WSJ Originals features in-depth reporting, investigations and on-the-ground journalism that uncovers the forces shaping business, politics and the world around us. #Maine #Midterms #WSJ