{"id":2607604,"date":"2026-05-27T19:44:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T23:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-leads-susan-collins-by-9-points-in-maine-senate-race\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T19:46:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T23:46:42","slug":"graham-platner-leads-susan-collins-by-9-points-in-maine-senate-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-leads-susan-collins-by-9-points-in-maine-senate-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham Platner leads Susan Collins by 9 points in Maine Senate race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgraham-platner-leads-susan-collins-by-9-points-in-maine-senate-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2607604&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A new Pine Tree State Poll from the University of New Hampshire finds former progressive figure Graham Platner leading sen. Susan Collins in a hypothetical Maine general election: 51% to Collins\u2019s 42%, with 6% undecided and 2% for other candidates-about a 9-point led. The article notes the race appears largely unchanged since February, when former Gov. Janet Mills exited the contest, though Mills is still expected to appear on the June 9 Democratic primary ballot and could draw support there.<\/p>\n<p>Platner, backed by prominent progressive Democrats and independents, is presented as a fresh challenge after decades of Collins holding the seat as 1997. Though, Rep. Jake Auchincloss has declined to support Platner over controversy involving a tattoo Auchincloss said resembled a Nazi symbol and related comments, calling the matter personally disqualifying and implying he would choose another option in the Democratic primary. The article also mentions further criticism of resurfaced posts by Platner that include remarks about sexual assault and alcohol, which drew accusations of sexism when thay resurfaced.<\/p>\n<p>The poll surveyed 1,397 Maine residents from Thursday thru Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner<\/a> holds a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-american-counterpunch-governor-greg-abbott-touts-his-state-as-the-land-of-freedom-and-opportunity\/\" title=\"Exclusive -- American Counterpunch: Governor Greg Abbott Touts His State as the Land of Freedom and Opportunity\">9-percentage-point lead<\/a> over Sen.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1302\"> Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME) in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-kemp-perdue-locked-in-tight-georgia-gop-primary-both-tied-with-stacey-abrams\/\" title=\"Poll: Kemp, Perdue Locked in Tight Georgia GOP Primary; Both Tied with Stacey Abrams\">hypothetical general election matchup<\/a> for Maine\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> seat, according to new polling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/scholars.unh.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1959&#038;context=survey_center_polls\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/scholars.unh.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1959&#038;context=survey_center_polls\"> Pine Tree State Poll<\/a> from the University of New Hampshire found that 51% of likely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fetterman-voted-to-put-murderers-back-on-streets\/\" title=\"Fetterman Voted to Put Murderers Back on Streets\">general election voters<\/a> say they would support Platner \u201cif the election were held today,\u201d compared with 42% for Collins. Two percent said they would back another candidate, while 6% remain undecided.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4584099\/cruz-texas-senate-talarico-for-granted-paxton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cruz warns Republicans shouldn\u2019t take Texas Senate race for granted<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4583922\/cornyn-blowout-loss-exposes-polling-miss-texas-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cornyn\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >blowout loss exposes polling miss<\/a> in Texas primary<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4583632\/james-talarico-and-ken-paxton-court-the-cornyn-vote\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>James Talarico and Ken Paxton court the Cornyn vote<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey indicates little change in the race since February, before former Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) exited the contest. Despite dropping out, Mills is still expected to appear on the June 9 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1964\">Democratic<\/a> primary ballot and could still receive support in that contest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collins has held her Senate seat for nearly three decades after taking office in 1997.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner, a Democratic populist running with backing from progressive figures including Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"41\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elizabeth-warren\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"250\">Elizabeth Warren<\/a> (D-MA), and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ruben-gallego\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10230\">Ruben Gallego<\/a> (D-AZ), has positioned himself as a fresh challenge to the longtime incumbent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) has declined to support his campaign, citing controversy surrounding a tattoo he said resembled a Nazi symbol.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs I said months ago, I find Platner\u2019s Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying,\u201d Auchincloss <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581973\/jake-auchincloss-susan-collins-maine-senate-graham-platner\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581973\/jake-auchincloss-susan-collins-maine-senate-graham-platner\/\">wrote<\/a> in a post on Monday. \u201cIf it were me, I\u2019d vote for someone else in the Maine Democratic primary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581973\/jake-auchincloss-susan-collins-maine-senate-graham-platner\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581973\/jake-auchincloss-susan-collins-maine-senate-graham-platner\/\">JAKE AUCHINCLOSS DENIES SUPPORTING COLLINS IN MAINE SENATE RACE AFTER OPPOSING PLATNER BID<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has also faced criticism over resurfaced posts that included comments about sexual assault and alcohol consumption, which drew accusations of sexism after they reemerged last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll surveyed 1,397 Maine residents from Thursday through Monday and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New UNH poll shows Platner leads Collins 51%-42% in Maine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2607605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273698432.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65649,54092,34870],"class_list":["post-2607604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-graham-platner","tag-maine-senate","tag-susan-collins"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273698432.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2607604"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2607608,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607604\/revisions\/2607608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2607605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2607604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2607604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2607604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}