Graham Platner wins Maine Democratic Senate primary, setting up a high-stakes November clash with Susan Collins

The primary result

Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine on Tuesday, according to projections from CNN and other media outlets. With roughly 19 percent of ballots counted, Platner held over 73 percent of the vote. His nearest rival, Governor Janet Mills, trailed with 19 percent. Mills had already suspended her campaign in late April, citing a lack of financial resources and poor polling numbers.

A key race for Senate control

The November 3 midterm elections will decide roughly one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives. With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers, every individual mandate could tip the balance of power. Democrats view Maine as one of the races where they can flip a seat, betting that Platner can unseat Susan Collins, a three-decade incumbent. Maine has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992, and Democrats currently control the governor's office and both chambers of the state legislature.

Scandals overshadow the campaign

Platner's primary victory was expected, but the focus remained on how many voters would oppose him despite his controversies. Multiple ex-partners have accused him of intimidating and disturbing behavior, according to the New York Times. One former partner also described a physical altercation. Platner, a veteran, has acknowledged struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse but has denied allegations of intimidation and physical assault. He has also faced controversy over a tattoo linked to Nazism and for sending explicit messages without consent to several women during his marriage.

The Democratic establishment's reluctant embrace

National Democratic leaders offered measured support for Platner. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand issued a joint statement focusing on Collins's vulnerability, noting she "voted with Trump 96 percent of the time" and "took millions from special interests while voting to rip health care away from Mainers." The Senate Majority PAC also drew contrasts between the candidates. Centrist Democrats like Lanae Erickson of Third Way called the race a "must-win seat" while hinting at concerns Platner could lose it.

In November, Maine voters will elect Graham Platner, and we will win a Senate majority.

Progressives dig in

Progressive allies have rallied around Platner, framing his candidacy as a test of whether outsider candidates with personal baggage can succeed where establishment figures have failed against Collins. Kyle Kulinski, host of Secular Talk, said the "days of weak apologetic Dems are over." Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks and Rebellion PAC argued that an establishment candidate carries a "100 percent chance" of losing, while Platner represents a calculated risk. A loss in November would likely deepen doubts about similar candidates as the party looks toward the 2028 presidential election.

What's my risk with going with Graham Platner? My risk is, oh, maybe we're wrong. But if we go with an establishment candidate, there's a 100 percent chance we're wrong.

Republican counter-offensive

Republicans immediately attacked Platner. Republican National Chair Joe Gruters called him "easily the most toxic candidate of the cycle" and said Democratic support for him "has placed the final nail in the coffin of their chances to win Maine in November." The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a digital ad highlighting Platner's tattoo and his profile on the messaging app Kik. The Senate Leadership Fund launched a website compiling opposition research, and pro-Collins groups began spending heavily.

Platner is easily the most toxic candidate of the cycle and the fact that Democrats have embraced him in service of a radical socialist agenda has placed the final nail in the coffin of their chances to win Maine in November.