Progressive activist Graham Platner won Maine's Democratic Senate primary with 72% of the vote, setting up a November challenge against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Despite facing scrutiny for past controversies, including incendiary Reddit posts, Democrats view Platner as their best chance to win a seat considered crucial for taking control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
Platner Democratic primary victory
- ▪Graham Platner won Maine's Democratic Senate primary on June 9, 2026
- ▪Platner defeated Maine Governor Janet Mills, who had suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot
- ▪Graham Platner is a Marine veteran, oyster farmer, and progressive activist
- ▪Graham Platner won the primary with 72% of the vote
- ▪The Associated Press called the race for Platner soon after polls in Maine closed at 8 p.m.
Platner personal controversies
- ▪A former girlfriend accused Graham Platner of being physically intimidating, an accusation Platner has denied
- ▪During the campaign, Platner faced scrutiny for old incendiary Reddit posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol
- ▪Platner was also scrutinized for sending sexually explicit messages to other women early in his marriage
Platner vs Collins general election
- ▪Susan Collins is the incumbent and is running for her sixth six-year term
- ▪In the November general election, Graham Platner will challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins
Democratic Senate control stakes
- ▪Democrats see Graham Platner as their best chance to oust Senator Susan Collins
- ▪Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate
- ▪The Maine Senate race is considered a must-win for Democrats seeking to take control of the Senate
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