Graham Platner Wins Maine Democratic Senate Primary, Will Face Republican Susan Collins in November

Graham Platner emerged as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee after winning the primary election on June 9, 2026. The Hancock County resident, who works as an oyster farmer and is a military veteran, campaigned on a platform focused partly on ending wealth inequality. His primary opponents included Maine Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in late April due to limited financial resources, and former Maryland state official David Costello, who polled as largely unknown. Platner received early endorsements from prominent New England progressives such as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and secured backing from Senate Democratic leadership including Chuck Schumer after Mills withdrew. Throughout the primary campaign, Platner faced controversies including allegations regarding a tattoo and sexually explicit text messages, which he acknowledged by describing a "very dark period" in his life. The general election matchup against Collins is expected to be among the most-watched races of the midterm elections.