Platner leads Maine Democratic primary amid attacks from Mills campaign
Graham Platner, a Maine Democratic Senate candidate and oyster farmer, is signaling a pivot from the primary toward a general-election bid against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins as polling tightens. With the June primary approaching, Platner appears to hold a commanding lead over gov. Janet Mills in recent surveys, and his campaign has begun airing ads aimed at Collins and shifting to general-election messaging even as the primary lingers.
Tensions in the Democratic primary have intensified. Platner and his allies have criticized Mills for missing a recent primary debate, while Mills has pushed back, saying scheduling conflicts forced her absence and that she has commitments to multiple forums. The race has featured negative attacks, including ads highlighting past remarks by Platner. An Emerson College poll cited Platner leading Mills 55% to 28% among likely Democratic primary voters, reinforcing Platner’s hold in the intraparty contest as both candidates maneuver for the general election.
Platner eyes general election pivot as support for Mills shrinks in polls
Maine Democratic Senate primary candidate Graham Platner is increasingly signaling a shift toward the general election, buoyed by strong polling as the state’s June primary approaches.
Platner’s campaign is touting its strong polling and beginning to look past the primary toward a potential matchup with incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
“Another day, another poll with Graham up big in the primary,” campaign manager Ben Chin wrote in a memo obtained by Axios, “While we aren’t taking our foot [off] the gas in the primary, we’re shifting gears and going full steam ahead into the general.”
The posture reflects growing confidence inside the campaign that Platner has built a commanding lead in a Democratic primary that has grown increasingly contentious in recent weeks.
Platner has already been airing ads targeting Collins, the longtime Republican incumbent.
At the same time, tensions between Platner’s primary challenger and longtime politician, Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), have escalated. Platner and his allies have criticized Mills over her absence from a recent primary debate, suggesting she “pulled out” of the event.
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“We’ll be there, and whenever the schedule allows, we look forward to having a conversation with the governor about issues Mainers care about,” Platner wrote on X.
Mills pushed back, saying the decision was due to a scheduling conflict and noting she had already committed to multiple forums.
“In February, I was the first candidate to commit to five primary debates and forums,” Mills wrote on X. “I look forward to discussing the issues top of mind for Maine people, my record, and my plans for the U.S. Senate in a way that gives all Maine Democrats a chance to hear directly from me.”
The Maine Democratic primary has become one of the cycle’s more combative intraparty battles, with a slew of recent negative attacks.
In recent weeks, the Mills campaign has gone on the offensive, releasing ads highlighting past sexist comments Platner made online more than a decade ago.
Despite the attacks, Platner has maintained a sizable polling advantage. A recent Emerson College poll found the oyster farmer leading the governor 55% to 28% among likely Democratic primary voters.
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