{"id":2628542,"date":"2026-07-11T10:55:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T14:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-possible-platner-replacements-stack-up-against-collins-polling\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T10:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T14:56:25","slug":"how-possible-platner-replacements-stack-up-against-collins-polling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-possible-platner-replacements-stack-up-against-collins-polling\/","title":{"rendered":"How possible Platner replacements stack up against Collins: Polling"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fhow-possible-platner-replacements-stack-up-against-collins-polling%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=2628542&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>Polling conducted by Graham Platner\u2019s team regarding the Maine Senate race indicates a clear Democratic front-runner aiming to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Platner withdrew from the race after allegations from his ex-girlfriend surfaced, and prior to public announcement, he sought voter opinions on potential replacements to identify strong contenders. Among potential candidates, former state senator Troy Jackson leads in polling, while Governor Janet Mills performs the weakest. Other prospects include Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, Jordan Wood, and several interested newcomers.Candidates must declare by July 15, with a maine Democratic Party convention to select a replacement by July 27. The race is highly competitive and crucial for party control of the Senate, with Democrats aiming to replace Platner and challenge Collins in November, amid concerns that his withdrawal may aid GOP efforts to retain their slim majority. The race\u2019s outcome is highly anticipated as it could significantly impact the balance of power in the Senate.  <\/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\">Polling <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner\u2019s <\/a>team conducted on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine <\/a>Senate race before he suspended his campaign indicates there is a clear Democratic front-runner in the bid to oust 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).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner dropped out of the race on Wednesday after his ex-girlfriend claimed he raped her. Before he made the announcement public, the embattled Democrat preemptively sponsored <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/maine-us-senate-election-polls-2026.html\">surveys of voters <\/a>to see what they thought of potential replacements and determine who might have the best shot of defeating Collins. <\/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\/4644171\/israel-democrats-litmus-test-democratic-primaries\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Israel becomes Democrats\u2019 abortion-style litmus test<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4644566\/gavin-newsom-backing-socialist-candidates-party-divides-healthy\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Newsom defends backing socialist candidates, calling party divides \u2018healthy\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4644156\/fetterman-gop-fundraising-boost-fresh-fury-democrats\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Another betrayal\u2019: Fetterman\u2019s GOP fundraising\u00a0boost stokes fresh fury from Democrats<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former state senator Troy Jackson performed best, with<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638366\/troy-jackson-calls-graham-platner-drop-out-maine-senate-race\/\"> polling showing him winning<\/a> by 5 points. Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) performed the worst, losing by 11 points. Former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows would both tie with Collins, according to the poll.\u00a0Former Capitol Hill staffer Jordan Wood was projected to lose to Collins by nine points in the general election. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of those potential Platner replacements have already launched a bid or expressed interest in doing so, except for Mills. The governor previously launched a Senate bid as the establishment favorite to win the race, but dropped out in April after Platner, the more <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >progressive anti-establishment option<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taliban-surges-as-u-s-withdraws-from-afghanistan\/\" title=\"Taliban surges as U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan\">made significant gains<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from the possible replacements Platner polled, there are several others who have expressed interest in running for the Democratic nomination. Those include Maine state Rep. Valli Geiger, former congressional candidate Paige Loud, former Senate candidate David Costello, and former Senate candidate Dan Kleban.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candidates to replace Platner must formally declare their campaign to do so by July 15 at 5 p.m. Then, they will take part in a whirlwind convention held by the Maine Democratic Party to select the new nominee. The party has until July 27 at 5 p.m. to formally submit Platner\u2019s replacement as the new candidate to challenge Collins in November. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4643042\/democrats-fume-bernie-sanders-graham-platner-maine-senate-race\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATS FUME AT BERNIE SANDERS FOR ENABLING GRAHAM PLATNER\u2019S RISE IN MAINE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process is being closely watched as the Maine Senate race is projected to be one of the closest in the country and could decide which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-committing-to-raising-taxes-in-bidens-forthcoming-budget-press-secretary\/\" title=\"White House Committing to Raising Taxes in ...en\u2019s Forthcoming Budget: Press Secretary\">party holds control<\/a> in the upper chamber. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republicans are fighting to maintain their slim majority in the Senate, with Collins emerging as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the 2026 elections. Platner\u2019s exit could offer the GOP a boost, as it means Democrats face just three full months to rally voters\u2019 support for his replacement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Polls before Platner&#8217;s exit show a leading Democrat to challenge Collins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2628543,"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\/06\/image-collage-qm1g0wor4-1781055545502-e1781057339789.jpg?1782724174&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[9762,14192,65502,5894,15698],"class_list":["post-2628542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-collins","tag-comparisons","tag-platner","tag-politics","tag-polling"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-collage-qm1g0wor4-1781055545502-e1781057339789.jpg?1782724174&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628542","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\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2628542"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2628546,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628542\/revisions\/2628546"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2628543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2628542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2628542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2628542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}