Maine Senate Primary Heats Up as Platner and Mills Battle for Voters' Attention

Platner's past comments on sexual assault become a key issue as he tries to define himself against the well-known Gov. Mills

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:51am

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In the race for Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, political newcomer Graham Platner and incumbent Gov. Janet Mills are engaged in a heated battle to define Platner's image with voters. Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer, is leading Mills in recent polls, but a significant portion of voters say they don't know enough about him. Both candidates are spending millions on ads, with Platner outspending Mills by a 3-to-1 margin, as they try to sway voters ahead of the June 9 primary. Mills has attacked Platner over his past controversial comments about sexual assault, while Platner has apologized and is trying to present himself as a changed man. The intraparty fight is seen as good news for Republican Sen. Susan Collins, whom the Democratic candidates hope to unseat in the general election.

Why it matters

The Maine Senate race is seen as a crucial battleground in the effort to retake the U.S. Senate for Democrats. Unseating the five-term incumbent Collins is a top priority, but the primary battle between Platner and Mills could impact the party's chances in the general election. The race has already drawn over $90 million in ad spending, with Republicans outspending Democrats, as both sides try to shape the narrative around the candidates.

The details

Platner, who is backed by national progressives like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, has a significant fundraising advantage over Mills, allowing him to flood the airwaves with a variety of ads. He has spent over $4 million on ads, more than three times what Mills has spent. Platner's ads have focused on introducing himself to voters, attacking Collins, and responding to Mills' attacks over his past comments. Mills, meanwhile, has been less active on TV, relying on her name recognition as governor. However, she launched a new attack ad this week highlighting Platner's 2013 Reddit comments dismissing sexual assault victims, which the campaign says is aimed at mobilizing women voters.

  • Platner's controversial comments were made in 2013 on Reddit.
  • The primary election is scheduled for June 9, 2026.

The players

Graham Platner

A 41-year-old oyster farmer who is the Democratic frontrunner in the U.S. Senate primary race in Maine.

Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine who is challenging Platner in the Senate primary.

Susan Collins

The five-term Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Maine whom the Democratic candidates hope to unseat in the general election.

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What they’re saying

“Maine people know my record and they know where I stand. They deserve to know the same about my opponent. And it's important that Maine voters hear Platner's words and the absolutely abhorrent things he has said.”

— Janet Mills, Governor of Maine

“If I saw these ads, I'd have questions. These are words and statements I abhor from a time in my life I was struggling deeply after returning from war. These words are not who I am. So Maine, I am asking you not to judge me for the worst thing I said on the internet on my worst day 14 years ago, but who I am today.”

— Graham Platner

What’s next

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The takeaway

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