AUGUSTA, Maine — Voters in Maine and three other states cast ballots Tuesday in primary elections that advanced candidates for the November general election, including a high-profile U.S. Senate race in Maine.
Primary elections took place in Maine, South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota, according to state election officials. In Maine, political newcomer Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reported.
Platner, an oyster farmer and military veteran, defeated former Maine Gov. Janet Mills and David Costello in the Democratic primary. With about 81 percent of votes counted, Platner received roughly 72 percent of the vote to Mills' 20 percent, according to results compiled by news organizations. Mills had suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot.
Incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins faced no opposition in her primary and secured the Republican nomination, officials said. Collins will face Platner in the Nov. 3 general election for the seat she has held since 1997.
In South Carolina, Sen. Lindsey Graham defeated a challenger in the Republican primary and avoided a runoff, according to election results. Other races in Nevada and North Dakota included contests for congressional and state offices.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting in its primaries. State officials said results were still being tabulated late Tuesday, with some local races potentially heading to further rounds of vote redistribution.
Platner, who has described himself as a progressive challenger to the political establishment, has drawn national attention for his grassroots campaign. He received endorsements from prominent Democrats including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Details of his background, including his service in the Marines and Army National Guard, have been a focus of campaign coverage.
"Mainers deserve a senator who fights for working families, not corporate interests," Platner said in a statement released after his victory, according to campaign materials reported by multiple outlets.
Collins, a moderate Republican, has positioned her re-election bid around her long record of bipartisanship in the Senate. She did not face significant opposition within her party.
Turnout details for the primaries remained unclear early Wednesday. Election officials in the four states reported no major disruptions at polling places, though some precincts experienced typical delays in processing ranked-choice ballots in Maine.
The primaries set the stage for competitive races in November. In Maine, the Senate contest is expected to draw significant national resources as Democrats seek to challenge Collins in a state that has supported her in previous elections.
Results from other races in South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota continued to be updated as counting proceeded. Officials said full certification would occur in the coming weeks in accordance with state laws.
