Election 2026 Maine Senate

Graham Platner has been met by an enthusiastic and supportive crowd at a town hall-style event in Maine. The Democrat is looking to advance his Senate campaign after reports about his past treatment of women just days before the state’s crucial primary. The Democratic primary is still seen as Platner’s to win, but he is facing questions about his past that could make it difficult to defeat longtime incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The New York Times reported an ex-girlfriend’s allegations that Platner was rough with her during arguments and once twisted her arm behind her back and locked her in a room. Platner denies those allegations. He spoke to about 400 cheering supporters in Portland on Sunday night.

Nevada, South Carolina and North Dakota have hosted primary elections, but much of the political world is focused on Maine’s high-stakes U.S. Senate contest. The Maine results were never in question. Neither Republican Sen. Susan Collins nor Democratic challenger Graham Platner faced serious opposition for their party’s nomination. Yet Tuesday marked an especially significant moment for Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer who's fighting to rebuild his credibility in a campaign rocked by controversy. Elsewhere, President Donald Trump’s clout within the Republican Party was tested anew in states like South Carolina and Nevada. Democrats hoped to build momentum in Nevada in their broader push to reclaim key governor’s seats.