Mills and Platner Clash Over Attack Ad in Maine Senate Primary

Intensifying battle to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:18pm

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The campaign of U.S. Senate hopeful Gov. Janet Mills released an advertisement criticizing comments posted online by her rival Graham Platner, in an intensification of their Maine Democratic primary battle. The ad features women reading Platner's past social media posts that were dismissive of sexual assault. Platner, an oyster farmer and U.S. Marine veteran, apologized for the deleted comments months ago, saying he posted them while struggling with mental health issues after leaving the military.

Why it matters

This race pits the experienced Democratic stalwart Mills against the younger, less experienced but populist-leaning Platner. The winner will face off against longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a key Senate race that could determine control of the chamber.

The details

The Mills campaign ad criticizes Platner for past social media posts that were dismissive of sexual assault, including one where he wrote that people shouldn't get so drunk 'they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to.' Platner has apologized for the deleted comments, saying he posted them while dealing with mental health issues after leaving the military. The race has intensified, with the Mills campaign calling Platner's comments 'disqualifying' and Platner's campaign manager describing the ad as a 'desperate attempt for relevance'.

  • The Mills campaign released the attack ad on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Janet Mills

The 78-year-old Democratic governor of Maine and U.S. Senate hopeful, who has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Graham Platner

A 41-year-old oyster farmer and U.S. Marine veteran running against Mills in the Democratic primary. He has picked up endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Ruben Gallego.

Susan Collins

The longtime Republican U.S. Senator from Maine whose seat is being targeted by Democrats in their effort to retake control of the Senate.

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What they’re saying

“Graham Platner's comments aren't just disgusting or disturbing, they are disqualifying. These comments make him unelectable in any general election.”

— Peggy Schaffer, Former vice chair of the Maine Democratic Party

“It's why people hate politics and why not enough real people run for office: D.C. insiders who are so obsessed with their own power and threatened by someone who is building an actual movement of working people, that they launch a barrage of attacks to try to tear Graham down.”

— Ben Chin, Platner's campaign manager

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.