From a Mamdani guru to a card-carrying Democratic Socialist, here’s who’s helping Platner

By Naomi Lim

Published June 7, 2026 5:00am ET

Embattled Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign team includes an interesting cast of characters.

From the Democratic Socialists of America couple who knocked on his door and recruited him to run to a pivotal adviser who helped elect New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year, here are some members of the crew responsible for Platner’s rise from obscurity to his now-uncertain future as the apparent nominee.