Bernie Sanders defends Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner amid Nazi-style tattoo and controversial Reddit posts, calling media focus misplaced.

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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.

Dem Senate candidate Graham Platner covered a Nazi-linked tattoo after backlash over old posts and apologized but refused to quit as rivals demand he drop out.

Planter, a US veteran and mercenary, has continued to receive support from “progressive” Democrats even after it was revealed he had a Totenkopf, the favored symbol of Hitler’s SS, on his chest for nearly two decades.

Graham’s tattoo became a test for his progressive allies, who have split on whether to defend or criticize the 41-year-old oyster farmer preparing for what could be a tough Democratic primary against Maine Gov.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is downplaying outrage against Graham Platner, who he is backing in the Democratic Senate primary in Maine, over Platner’s controversial posts on Reddit and a tattoo that resembles a Nazi “totenkopf.

Maine senate hopeful Graham Platner’s campaign is facing an increasingly uphill battle as additional past comments by the candidate – who earned Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont’s endorsement – continue to surface.