Democrats weigh options after Platner apologizes for controversial tattoo
Platner apologizes for Nazi tattoo; Maine Democrats can replace nominee until July 13.
Event / Politics
US Senate Maine 2026
Competitive Senate race between Democratic nominee Graham Platner and Republican incumbent Susan Collins in Maine's 2026 election
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 30 Apr, 14:36 UTC
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What happened
Maine Senate race polls show tight competition between Platner and Collins
Recent polling shows a competitive race between Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Susan Collins in Maine's 2026 Senate race. A Tavern Research poll (June 5-8) showed Platner ahead 51% to 49%. A Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll (June 1-3) showed a 46% tie. Earlier polls gave Platner larger leads: Public Policy Polling showed him up 4 points (49%-45%), University of New Hampshire showed him up 9 points (51%-42%), and Pan Atlantic SMS Group showed him up 7 points (48%-41%). Election forecasters Cook Political Report and Sabata's Crystal Ball rate the race as a toss-up.
Graham Platner wins Maine Democratic Senate nomination with 75% of primary vote
Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran from Sullivan, Maine, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on June 10, 2026. He secured approximately 75% of the primary vote according to early unofficial results. Governor Janet Mills, who had been recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer but suspended her campaign in late April, finished with fewer than 20% of votes despite remaining on the ballot. David Costello, a former government official, received approximately 6% of votes.
New York Times reports Graham Platner engaged in physically threatening behavior toward former girlfriend
The New York Times reported that Lyndsey Fifield, a former girlfriend of Graham Platner, alleged he engaged in physically threatening behavior during their relationship over a decade ago, including twisting her arm behind her back, shoving her into a bedroom, and blocking her from exiting. Fifield stated that Platner did not hit or punch her. The Times reported it could not independently corroborate the incidents. Platner denied the allegations, stating they were "simply not true" and politically motivated.
Wall Street Journal reports Graham Platner sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women while married
The Wall Street Journal reported that Graham Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, informed his campaign aides during an internal vetting exercise in August 2025 that Platner had sent sexually explicit text messages to several women. Genevieve McDonald, Platner's former campaign political director, confirmed the details, stating Platner was "sexting multiple women while married" and that the campaign assessed this as an election vulnerability. Platner dismissed the reports as "gossip" and acknowledged strains in his marriage, though he said they had been resolved.
Graham Platner apologizes for Nazi-style tattoo and plans removal
Graham Platner faced controversy over a tattoo resembling the Totenkopf, or "death's head," a symbol adopted by the Nazi SS. Platner apologized for the tattoo and told Newsweek he would not have kept it if he had known about its historical association. He stated he was already planning to have it removed.
President Trump has low approval rating in Maine ahead of 2026 midterms
President Donald Trump remains unpopular in Maine as the 2026 midterm elections approach. A Pan Atlantic SMS Poll from May 2026 found that 38% of Mainers view Trump favorably compared to 62% unfavorably. An Emerson College poll (March 21-23) found 39% of Mainers approve of Trump's job performance while 57% disapprove. Trump lost Maine by 7 points in 2024, 9 points in 2020, and 3 points in 2016.
Susan Collins wins unopposed Republican nomination for Maine Senate seat
Five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins, 73, secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine's primary on June 10, 2026, running unopposed. She will face Democrat Graham Platner in the general election in November 2026.
Maine law allows Democrats to replace Senate nominee until July 13, 2026
Under Maine election law (Title 21-A, §374-A), a political party may replace its general-election nominee if the nominee withdraws by 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July, which falls on July 13, 2026. If a nominee withdraws, the party has until 5 p.m. on July 27 to select a replacement. This provision allows Democrats to potentially reset their Senate campaign in mid-summer if Graham Platner withdraws, though he has not indicated plans to do so.
Graham Platner's past Reddit posts draw scrutiny for controversial statements
Past Reddit posts attributed to Graham Platner drew scrutiny during his Senate campaign. In one post, Platner said he "became older and became a communist." In another post, responding to a comment about white people not being as racist as Trump thinks, he replied: "Living in white rural America, I'm afraid to tell you they actually are." Platner later told Politico in 2025 that he had "made dumb jokes and picked fights" but emphasized he was not a socialist, citing his status as a small business owner and Marine Corps veteran.
Prediction markets give Democrats 58-62% chance of winning Maine Senate seat
Prediction markets favor Democrats to flip Maine's Senate seat in the 2026 general election. Kalshi gives Democrats a 58% chance of winning the seat, while Polymarket gives them a 62% chance. The prediction market probabilities shifted following recent scandals involving Platner's past relationships, but Collins still trails in the overall prediction market assessments.
Democratic primary contest reflects generational shift in party strategy
The Maine Senate primary between Janet Mills and Graham Platner illustrated broader debate within the Democratic Party over generational leadership. Mills, 78, represented the Democratic establishment's preferred candidate backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while Platner, 41, attracted younger voters with a populist message and endorsements from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressive Democrats including Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego.
Campaign financial disparity influences Maine Senate primary outcome
Campaign fundraising disparities significantly influenced the Maine Democratic Senate primary. Republican Senator Susan Collins has $10 million on hand, while Graham Platner raised nearly $12 million since entering the race with $2.7 million remaining. Governor Janet Mills raised $5 million since entering the race with only $1 million on hand at the time of her withdrawal.
Platner faces criticism over past social media statements and tattoo
Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, has faced ongoing criticism over old Reddit posts containing comments some considered offensive regarding sexual assault and political violence, and a tattoo of skull and crossbones he obtained while intoxicated in Croatia in 2007 that resembles Nazi symbolism. Platner has publicly disavowed the online statements as from a dark period of his life and covered the tattoo with a new design, stating he was appalled to learn it closely resembled Nazi symbols.
Maine Senate race set as general election matchup between Platner and Collins
The November 2026 Maine U.S. Senate general election will feature Democrat Graham Platner facing Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking her fifth term. The race is considered a critical pickup opportunity for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a narrow 53-47 majority.
Maine Governor Janet Mills suspends U.S. Senate campaign
Maine Governor Janet Mills announced on April 30, 2026 that she is suspending her campaign for U.S. Senate, citing insufficient financial resources. Mills, a 78-year-old two-term governor and the state's first female district attorney, attorney general, and governor, had entered the Democratic primary race in October 2025 with backing from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and prominent left-leaning advocacy groups.
Mills gains national attention for opposing Trump transgender athletes executive order
Maine Governor Janet Mills gained national attention in February 2025 after standing up to President Trump at a White House governors' event. Trump threatened to withhold federal funding if Maine complied with his executive order banning transgender athletes in women's sports. Mills responded that she was following state and local laws and would see Trump in court, later leading a successful lawsuit against the Trump administration over federal funding disputes.
Graham Platner becomes presumptive Democratic nominee for Maine Senate
With Maine Governor Janet Mills withdrawing from the Democratic primary on April 30, 2026, oyster farmer and political newcomer Graham Platner becomes the presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Platner, a 41-year-old former Marine and combat veteran, maintains significant polling advantages over Mills, leading her by 27 points in a March 2026 Emerson College poll.
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2 alternative perspectives
Platner faces allegations of threatening behavior and explicit messaging
Major outlets report Platner engaged in threatening behavior and sent explicit messages to multiple women.
Platner secures Democratic nod as Maine Senate race tightens
Platner clinches Democratic nod; competitive general election race against Collins looms with Democrats favored.
Mills Opposes Trump's Transgender Athletes Executive Order
Mills opposes Trump's transgender athletes executive order, gaining national attention.
Platner Faces Scrutiny Over Social Media Posts and Tattoo
Platner confronts criticism over past social media statements and a tattoo.
Mills Exit Reshuffles Maine Democratic Primary Race
Mills exits Maine Senate race; Platner becomes presumptive Democratic nominee against Collins.