Maine Holds Closely Watched Primary Election with US Senate Race as National Focus

Jun 8, 2026

Maine holds its primary election on June 9, with national focus on the U.S. Senate race. Democratic frontrunner Graham Platner is embroiled in scandals including allegations of physical abuse, racist posts, and sending explicit texts. The controversies have divided Democrats, who view the seat held by longtime Republican Susan Collins as a critical opportunity to win control of the Senate. Open races for governor and a key House seat are also on the ballot.

Maine Senate primary election

▪Democrat Graham Platner is the likely nominee to challenge Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
▪Voters in Maine are holding primary elections on June 9, 2026, with a U.S. Senate race as a national focus.
▪The Senate race could help determine which party controls the chamber, and Democrats view the seat as a key pickup opportunity.
▪Platner, a 41-year-old oysterman and marine veteran, has run on a populist message against foreign military spending.
▪Platner's main primary rival, Governor Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in April 2026 but remains on the ballot.

Graham Platner scandal allegations

▪Platner has faced multiple scandals, including old Reddit posts with racist, sexist, and homophobic language.
▪Platner acknowledged covering up a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol.
▪A New York Times report detailed allegations from a former partner that Platner was physically abusive, which he has denied.

Democratic Party internal divisions

▪U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna called Platner's conduct "misogynistic" and "toxic" but still appeared at a rally with him.
▪The allegations against Platner have caused divisions within the Democratic Party.
▪U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean stated that Platner "has disqualified himself" from the race due to the allegations.
▪Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have maintained their endorsements of Platner.

Susan Collins Senate record

▪Susan Collins, 73, is a Republican who has held her Senate seat for nearly three decades.
▪In 2020, Susan Collins won her fifth term by nine points, despite Joe Biden carrying the state of Maine.
▪Collins has sometimes broken with Donald Trump, voting for his second impeachment conviction.
▪Collins' vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is a focus for Democrats, as it helped enable the overturning of Roe v Wade.

Maine congressional district race

▪Former Republican Governor Paul LePage is running unopposed in the primary for the 2nd district seat.
▪Maine's second congressional district is a competitive race for an open seat previously held by Democrat Jared Golden.
▪The second congressional district has voted for Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections.