Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is getting heat from the GOP for backing oyster farmer Graham Platner, a progressive, as Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate after criticism surrounding the candidate's past social media posts as well as a controversial tattoo.

Vermont Republican Party Chair Paul Dame on Tuesday urged Sanders to retract or explain his endorsement of Platner, echoing comments from EMILY’s List President Jessica Mackler’s characterization of the candidate’s comments as “unacceptable and disqualifying,” according to the Vermont Daily Chronicle.

Platner’s Reddit posts reviewed by

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