Graham Platner won the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 9, capturing approximately 72-75% of the vote against former Governor Janet Mills and David Costello [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Mills suspended her campaign in April due to fundraising difficulties but remained on the ballot, receiving about 19-20% of the vote [1, 7, 4, 5, 6].
Platner, 41, is a Marine veteran, oyster farmer, and political newcomer who ran on a populist, anti-establishment message [1, 8, 7, 9, 5]. He will face five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November 2026 general election, as she seeks her sixth term [1, 8, 3, 9].
The Maine primary was considered a crucial contest in Democrats’ effort to regain Senate control from the current 53-47 Republican majority [1, 8, 3]. Supporters embraced Platner’s background and policy platform despite ongoing controversies surrounding his campaign.
Platner faced scrutiny over offensive language in old Reddit posts, a tattoo identified as a Nazi symbol that he later covered, sexually explicit messages to women during his marriage, and allegations of physical intimidation from a former girlfriend [1, 2, 8, 7, 3]. Platner acknowledged struggling with untreated PTSD and alcohol abuse following military service and said his past misconduct reflected difficult periods in his life [1, 8, 7, 10]. He denied allegations of physical abuse toward a former girlfriend [8, 3].
Many Democratic voters accepted Platner’s flaws as forgivable. Progressive endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ro Khanna boosted his campaign [9, 5, 11]. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, "In November, Maine voters will elect Graham Platner, and we will win a Senate majority" [4]. Jesenia Soler, a supporter, said, "For me it’s like everyone has shit that they’ve done… The Nazi tattoo: I know he was a marine … and then there’s regret" [2].
Critics disagreed, calling Platner unfit for office due to his behavior and messaging [2, 7, 10]. Republicans, including pro-Collins groups, plan to highlight these controversies in the general election [7, 11]. Former President Donald Trump denounced Platner sharply after the primary, calling him a "thug" and "outright pig" [12]. Platner responded to critics by saying, "Now, the national pundits... fail to understand that this is not about me at all. This is a movement about us" [3].
Janet Mills suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot throughout the primary [1, 7, 4]. The general election between Platner and Collins is scheduled for November 2026.
