Graham Platner, a Maine business owner and Senate hopeful, is striving to shift focus from his controversial online comments to his current political ambitions. Platner, who aims to take the seat from GOP Rep. Susan Collins, recently addressed his past remarks in a heartfelt video, expressing regret and detailing his personal growth since serving in Afghanistan.

In the video released on Friday, Platner openly discusses the evolution of his views, attributing his past offensive online behavior to a difficult mental state following his military service. "Some of the worst comments I made, the things that I'm — I think are least defensible, that I wouldn't even try to defend, come from that time,” Platner explains, referring to the period just after his return in 2012.

His comments on platforms like Reddit, which included endorsements of political violence, dismissive remarks about sexual assault, and derogatory statements about police and various racial groups, have recently resurfaced, casting a shadow over his campaign. Notably, these posts were deleted prior to his campaign launch, and Platner ceased posting around 2020 or 2021.

Despite the backlash, Platner remains hopeful, drawing strength from his community in Sullivan, Maine. "I went from thinking that people were bad to knowing that people are good. I went from thinking that there was no hope to having nothing but hope," he said in his video. This message of transformation and hope is central to his campaign as he seeks endorsement from figures like progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders.

However, his apologies have met with skepticism, particularly from Republican circles. Joanna Rodriguez, spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, criticized Platner's attempt to deflect blame onto his military experience. "Five minutes in which Graham Platner blames HIS FELLOW SERVICEMEN for things he said," Rodriguez stated, highlighting the ongoing controversy.

As the race heats up, Platner faces the dual challenge of outpacing Gov. Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination and contending with a Republican party ready to capitalize on his troubled past. His journey from controversial figure to hopeful senator underscores the complex interplay of personal history and public service in American politics.