Nearly 20 years ago, Maine Democrat Graham Platner drunkenly selected a skull and crossbones design while out on leave with his fellow Marines in Croatia. He would explain years later that he discovered that design was recognized as a Nazi symbol while running for a key U.S. Senate seat.

Rather than wait through multiple sessions of laser removal, Platner called Mischa Ostberg, a friend and artist based in Ellsworth, Maine.

Ostberg, who has been licensed to ink for just two years, was eager to help. For Ostberg, the request wasn't abnormal — covering up a design is a common practice in the tattoo world — and Platner's willingness to take action when learning about the image's connection to Nazis was reflective of the friend she had known for years.

It also solidified why Ostberg supported Platner's campaign, saying his past mistakes reflects that “he’s a regular person like all of us" and hasn't been perfectly vetted by Democratic leaders.

Platner has faced increased scrutiny surrounding now-deleted posts he made on Reddit where he dismissed military sexual assaults, questioned Black patrons’ gratuity habits and criticized police officers and rural Americans. Other posts showed Platner using homophobic slurs and made anti-LGBTQ+ jokes between 2018 and 2021.

Yet Platner maintains he had never been questioned about the tattoo’s connections to Nazi symbols in the 20 years he has had it. He said that after serving three tours as a Marine, he later went to enlist in the Army, which requires clearing an examination for tattoos of hate symbols.

Finding a design was incredibly tricky, Ostberg said. Located on Platner's left side of his chest filled with lots of black ink, Ostberg sketched out a design using a sharpie.

It took several hours to finish, resulting in a Celtic knot now covering the majority of the skull and crossbones with a dog jumping out on top of the image. Ostberg said they were inspired by Platner's Scottish heritage and love of his two dogs.

Platner is running to flip a U.S. Senate seat long held by Republican Susan Collins. As a first-time candidate, Platner must first survive the state’s Democratic primary election, which includes Gov. Janet Mills, who has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other prominent left-leaning political groups.