Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Saturday endorsed political newcomer Graham Blattner, a populist oyster farmer running to succeed Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
As national Democrats eyed Maine Governor Janet Mills (D-MA) for the Senate race, Blattner emerged as an unexpected progressive candidate, appealing to those frustrated by the party’s weakness in Congress and growing class inequality.
“We need senators in Washington who are willing to take on the billionaire class and fight for the working class. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Graham Blattner for the U.S. Senate,” Sanders said in a statement.
“Graham is a Marine and National Guard veteran, an oyster farmer, and a proud member of the American working class.” A Maine native in every sense of the word, he is building a movement strong enough to resist the oligarchy that makes life in Maine inaccessible to all but a privileged few.
Sanders is holding a rally with Blattner and Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson on Monday in Portland, Maine. The venue for the Labor Day event has been moved from an auditorium to a much larger arena due to expected attendance.
Blattner, 40, announced his candidacy earlier this month. Since then, he has raised $1 million in nine days, with an average contribution of $33, according to his campaign. He describes himself as a “friend of working Mainers, enemy of the oligarchy” in his X-rated bio.
He said on X that he was “incredibly proud” to receive Sanders’s endorsement. Together, we will defeat Susan Collins and take back our government for the people.
Collins, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, angered Maine voters by voting for Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful” bill, which cut taxes for the wealthy and deprived millions of Americans of health insurance.
Although known for her moderation, Collins voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incompetent and anti-science Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration, and Russell Vought, Trump’s budget director, who famously said of government officials, “We want to shock them.” She also cast the deciding vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s controversial Supreme Court nominee, during his first term, paving the way for conservatives to end federal access to abortion.
Earlier this week, about 200 protesters chanted against Collins at the inauguration ceremony in a small coastal town in Maine, calling on her to “disgrace herself” and “stop funding genocide.” Later that week, she was met by other protesters during a visit to a food bank.
“Our concern is that she hasn’t held a public meeting in 20 years, isn’t addressing her constituents, and is supporting a fascist government,” Jessica Mahnay, co-chair of Sagadahoc Indivisible, told WGME.
“I’m not fooled by this charade of thoughtfulness and moderation from Collins,” Blattner said in a promotional video. “The difference between Susan Collins and Ted Cruz is that at least Ted Cruz is honest about the betrayal and indifference of our group.” ยป
Blattner, voted “most likely to start a revolution” in high school, didn’t hold back.
“Nothing pisses me off more than getting a fundraising text from Democrats about how they’re fighting fascism,” Blattner posted on Twitter shortly after entering the race. “Because it’s a load of crap. We’re not stupid. Everyone knows most of them aren’t doing anything to fight back.”
He added: “People are being kidnapped in unmarked vans by masked police officers.” “A genocide is underway in Palestine. Real billionaires have taken over our government. And all the Democratic leadership can do is send us another fundraising text?”
Mills, the 77-year-old governor, remains a potential candidate for the Democratic establishment. The Portland Press Herald reported Wednesday that she was “seriously considering” running for Collins’ seat.