Graham Platner wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine Tuesday night, setting up a race against five-term incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

A series of recent personal controversies did not deter Maine voters from choosing Platner as the Democratic challenger.

“It is deeply humbling to stand here as your Democratic nominee,” Platner said to supporters at his watch party in Blue Hills, ME, Tuesday night. “It is an honor and I will not let you down.”

Platner won with more than 70% of the vote Tuesday. The only potential hurdle was Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Despite suspending her Senate campaign in April, Mills was still on Tuesday’s ballot but did not receive enough votes to show any significant protest from Democrats.

“I’m still far from perfect, but every day I wake up and I try to be a little bit better and a little bit kinder than I was the day before. And if you give me the chance, I will be a senator for the people who cannot afford to buy a senator,” said Platner.

Platner continued his populist economic message in his victory speech Tuesday night, vowing to defeat Collins “and the billionaire class she represents.”

Democrats see Collins as vulnerable. She is the only Republican this season defending a state President Trump did not win in 2024.

The Maine Senate seat is considered a must-win for Democrats if they want to win back control of the upper chamber in November.

Wednesday, President Trump weighed in on the race, calling Platner a “thug.”

“He’s worse than any human being that’s ever run for office. I don’t know him. I don’t want to say bad, but I, I mean, nobody’s ever had a record like that,” Trump said. “This guy’s got a rap sheet. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s a thug... He’s a low-level thug and he’s running to be a senator.”

Both campaigns hit the ground running, continuing messaging from before the primary. Parties are expected to invest heavily in this race. Super PACs already pledged tens of millions of dollars for the next four months.