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.

Despite recent controversies, Platner has a huge lead in a recent poll and is drawing big crowds, while the two-term governor Mills is counting on her experience and achievements.

The poll shows that 58% of likely Democratic primary voters favor Platner. Janet Mills, Maine's two-term governor, who was recruited by national party leaders, was polling at just 24%. None of the other candidates in the crowded field received more than 1%.

The 41-year-old oyster farmer and military veteran looking to unseat GOP Sen. Susan Collins says he had no idea the skull and crossbones tattooed on his chest was linked to an infamous Hitler unit.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire for a tattoo resembling the Nazi SS Totenkopf, which he says he got unknowingly during a drunken trip as a Marine. The controversy follows resurfaced offensive Reddit posts,

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) said Monday his past Reddit comments were meant “to get a rise out of people.” “That was me trying to get a rise out of people on the Internet,” Platner

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.