Platner Extends Lead Over Mills in Maine Senate Primary

New poll shows political newcomer with 38-point advantage in Democratic race

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new independent poll from the University of New Hampshire shows Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer, holding a commanding 38-point lead over two-term Maine Governor Janet Mills in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The survey of 426 likely primary voters found that 64% support Platner, up 6 percentage points since October, while Mills has 26% support, an increase of 2 points.

Why it matters

This poll suggests Platner, a political newcomer, has significant momentum heading into the primary election against the more established Mills, who has served as Maine's governor since 2019. The widening gap could signal a shift in voter sentiment and a desire for fresh faces in Washington.

The details

The University of New Hampshire poll was conducted from February 12-16 and has a margin of error of 4.5%. It found that Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer from Sullivan, Maine, has the support of 64% of likely Democratic primary voters, up from 58% in October. Mills, the two-term governor, saw her support increase slightly to 26% from 24% in the previous survey.

  • The poll was conducted from February 12-16, 2026.
  • The previous UNH poll was conducted in October 2025.

The players

Graham Platner

A 41-year-old oyster farmer from Sullivan, Maine who is running as a political newcomer in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Janet Mills

The two-term Governor of Maine who is running against Platner in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

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What’s next

The primary election is scheduled for June 2026, so voters will have several more months to make their decision between Platner and Mills.

The takeaway

This poll indicates a shift in voter sentiment in Maine, with a political outsider like Platner gaining significant ground against an established politician like Mills. It will be interesting to see if Platner can maintain his momentum and pull off an upset victory in the primary.