AUGUSTA — Graham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday despite a series of personal scandals that drew national scrutiny, positioning him as the challenger to incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the November general election.
Platner defeated former Gov. Janet Mills and other candidates in the ranked-choice voting primary, securing the nomination with strong grassroots support. Mills had suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot. Early results showed Platner receiving about 72% of the vote, according to projections from major news outlets.
The race attracted widespread attention because of allegations against Platner involving his personal conduct. Reports detailed old social media posts containing offensive comments about women and military sexual assault, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that he later covered up, and claims from former girlfriends about unsettling behavior, including one allegation of physical intimidation that Platner has denied.
Platner, who owns a small oyster farm in Sullivan and has served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, has described his past controversies as stemming from a difficult period involving PTSD and alcohol use, for which he said he has sought treatment and embraced sobriety. He has called the latest allegations politically motivated and categorically denied claims of physical abuse.
“These attacks are attempts to distract from the real issues facing Maine families,” Platner said in a statement following his victory, according to campaign reports. He has sought to refocus his campaign on economic concerns, veterans’ issues and challenging Collins’ record.
Collins, who easily won her Republican primary, is seeking a sixth term. The general election matchup is viewed as competitive, with recent polls showing Platner leading or in a close contest with the longtime incumbent. National Democrats see the race as a potential opportunity to flip the seat, while Republicans have highlighted Platner’s controversies.
The primary results come amid broader national interest in the 2026 midterms. Platner’s unorthodox background as a working-class outsider contrasted with Mills, a more established figure, resonated with many Democratic voters despite the scandals.
Officials reported smooth voting operations across the state on Tuesday. Final certified results are expected in the coming days. Both campaigns indicated they would shift focus immediately to the general election contest. Details on turnout figures were not immediately available.
The contest is expected to test voter priorities in Maine, a state known for its independent streak and history of split-ticket voting. No further primary challenges were reported as of Wednesday.
