Tucker Favreau is a Democrat running in the U.S. Senate primaries in Maine.

“Do you have any Nazi tattoos?”

This question is one I never thought I would hear from voters while working on my rather humble U.S. Senate campaign here in Maine. And yet, I would say that nearly half of voters I speak with now ask it right away. Some ask sarcastically while others are very serious.

As someone without tattoos, it’s been very easy to answer if jarring to hear. The stories of the last few weeks have completely changed the tone and nature of this race, and as a candidate trying to navigate these times, I do find it quite surreal.

I have, of course, read nearly every article concerning Graham Platner and these recent revelations. And there are tons of them, seemingly endlessly being pumped out, because they are getting an incredible number of clicks and starting debates far beyond Maine and Maine-related spaces.

It’s a media frenzy. And throughout it all, there are comments from every part of this country telling Mainers how they should vote. Mainers, of any political persuasion, have never really liked being told what to do, especially by so-called flatlanders. This is especially true when it comes to politics, which has become deeply personal in this cycle.

To be blunt, I do not believe that Graham Platner is a Nazi or that he hasn’t grown substantially as a person in the last few years. As an Army veteran myself, I have seen just how quickly people can change for the better when they finally get the help they need.

So, no, I don’t question Platner’s moral character at this point in his life. But certainly, there is a lot to unpack and admonish.

The real question, though, is how Mainers feel about all of this. Some have told me that they no longer hold respect for Platner and believe that he should end his campaign. Others have told me that they greatly appreciate his growth and that they wish him success in endeavors other than the Senate race. Others have found his growth inspiring and proof that people can change for the better over time. Their belief is that his growth better qualifies him to be a senator because he is a “regular” person. This media frenzy has therefore actually reinforced their support for him.

Of course, there is also the idea that there is no such thing as bad publicity in this era of politics. If nothing else, Platner has amassed incredible name recognition quickly, which seems out of reach for many of us other candidates. And that often seems to matter more than many other factors in politics.

In fact, Platner still enjoys substantial attendance at his events despite all of these revelations. While some struggle to understand why, I think it’s clear that Platner’s blunt assessment of our current politics and the state of this nation resonates with people.

Do I believe that Platner can win in the general election against Susan Collins given his past? It is a critical question and my opinion really does not matter. It is up to Maine voters. But this ordeal has further driven me to call on groups around the state to organize debates or open forums that are open to the public as soon as possible.

If the other candidates, including myself, believe that we are a better option than Platner, then let’s prove it in front of the only people who should have power in this election: Mainers. And if we can’t beat the guy with such historic baggage, then perhaps we’re the ones who need to do some self-reflection — with or without tattoos.