Platner seeks Democratic nomination for US Senate to set up critical Maine race with Collins
Platner leads the Democratic field as new allegations and old online posts raise doubts about whether he can beat Susan Collins.
- On Tuesday, Maine voters are casting ballots in primary elections to select a Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in one of the nation's most critical Senate races.
- Platner's candidacy has faced scrutiny following reports of past offensive online comments, a Nazi-symbol tattoo, and sexually explicit text messages sent while married, as well as alleged abusive behavior toward former girlfriends which his campaign has disputed.
- While Democrats view the race as a critical opportunity to unseat Collins, Platner's controversies have caused internal anxiety, especially after Democratic Governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign in April.
- The election employs ranked choice voting, requiring winners to exceed 50% of the popular vote; if no candidate secures a majority, officials eliminate the bottom finisher and redistribute voters' second choices.
- Beyond the Senate race, voters are selecting nominees for governor and the 2nd Congressional District, where Republicans hope to reclaim the seat President Donald Trump won in 2024 as former Governor Paul LePage runs unopposed.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Graham Platner Tests the Power of Anti-Establishment Anger in Maine
Mainers are heading to the polls Tuesday in the final day of a bruising primary fight for the Democratic Senate nomination that has seen Graham Platner, a political newcomer, rise as the presumptive choice to take on Republican Susan Collins — but not without taking heavy damage from stories delving into his past. Plainspoken populism won the oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran support among fed-up Maine voters that appeared unshaken despite …
Maine votes as scandal-plagued Graham Platner seeks Democratic Senate primary win - US politics live
Polls for Maine’s primary elections close at 8pm ET as it appears voters may be sticking with Platner despite string of controversies Judgment day for under-fire Graham Platner in Maine primary Sign up for the Breaking News US email Vice-president JD Vance has added a chicken coop to his residence at the US Naval Observatory, [...]
Washington, 9 Jun (EFE).- The sexual content messages that Maine's Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner sent to several women while he was married mark the important primaries that are being held today in this state that elects, along with South Carolina, North Dakota and Nevada, the candidates for the November legislative elections. Platner would have exchanged sex messages with multiple women outside marriage, according to The Wall Stree…
Letters to the Editor: Maine voters can choose between hypocrisy and imperfection in Senate race
'There is a clear moral distinction between a person who openly acknowledges wrongdoing and accepts responsibility for it, and a leader who repeatedly recognizes conduct she says is wrong yet continues to enable it,' writes an L.A. Times reader.
Graham Platner, amid controversies, looks to advance in Maine Democratic Senate primary
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine. (Photo by Laura Brett/Getty Images) (NEW YORK) — Maine voters will decide on Tuesday whether oyster farmer Graham Platner will be the Democratic Party’s nominee to take on longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Maine Gov. Janet Mills is also on the Democratic Senate primary ballot on Tuesday, as i…
Do Democrats need a better message than being anti-Trump?
As 2028 Democratic hopefuls emerge, is the party developing a message beyond opposing President Trump? Meanwhile, Maine voters head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election as the controversial Graham Platner seeks to oust incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R). Join The Hill’s Amie Parnes, Ian Swanson and special guest Democratic strategist Joel Payne for…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 51% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
