By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday at Biddeford Middle School to see and hear U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, and to learn more about his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Susan Collins.

Platner, 40, took the stage wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, He was warmly received by a diverse crowd of supporters and onlookers.

His message relied on current populist ideas from the left flank of the Democratic Party.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills is also seeking her party’s nomination to replace Collins, and she is widely viewed as a more moderate member of the party. Platner has been endorsed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who has long embraced being described as “a socialist.”

Although Platner has found himself at the center of controversy about his past statements on social media, none of those issues were raised Wednesday.

Instead, the former combat marine and current oyster farmer stuck to a message about empowering people who have “no voice” within the hallways of Washington D.C.

“The system isn’t broken,” Platner told the crowd. “It’s working exactly how it was designed; to keep the power reserved for the few.”

Before taking questions from the audience, Platner spent nearly 30 minutes introducing himself and outlining the core messages of his campaign.

His speech centered mostly upon a core principle of his campaign: to make life better for Maine’s working-class citizens.

Platner drew rousing applause when he talked about making wealthy Americans “pay their fair share.”

“Every single person in this state knows in their bones that they are getting screwed,” Platner said. “Things will not change until the Democratic Party stops serving the very same interests served by the Republicans.

“The only way we will see change is from the ground up. No one is coming to save us. We need an organized working class.”

Platner said he is planning several more town hall meetings across the state. He also pledged that, if elected, he will continue holding town hall meetings in order to increase “public access” for the working class, jabbing at Collins for her poor performance in meeting with “everyday Mainers’

He described himself as a “New Deal” Democrat and invoked the legacy of Frances Perkins, a Maine native who became the first female cabinet member.

Perkins served as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She is credited for drafting the creation of Social Security among many other programs aimed at improving the lives of working Americans.

“I’m not just asking for your vote,” Platner told the audience. “I’m asking for your time, your energy and even your discomfort as you share our message with your friends and neighbors.”

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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