Senate Race: Collins vs. Platner in Maine

NBC News projects that Republican Senator Susan Collins will face Democrat Graham Platner in a high-stakes election this fall for control of the Senate. Both candidates emerged victorious from their respective primaries. Collins, who has been a senator since 1996, ran unopposed in her primary, seeking her sixth term. Platner, a newcomer oyster farmer and veteran, encountered minimal competition after two-term Governor Janet Mills halted her campaign.

Anticipated primary outcomes do not ease the unpredictability of the upcoming election. This Senate race has become central to Democratic Party debates and voter priorities. Platner confronts controversies about his past as the campaign between the experienced Collins and the fresh-faced challenger is set to begin.

Maine is pivotal in the fight for the Senate majority. Democrats currently hold 47 seats, needing four more to secure control. Collins is the only Republican senator from a state where President Trump lost in 2024, painting her as a target for Democrat efforts.

Collins has a record of overcoming challenges, as she did in 2020 by winning her seat by more than eight points despite Trump’s loss in Maine. President Trump expressed his support for Collins in March, emphasizing the need to maintain Republican control.

In past elections, Democrats have fielded center-left candidates backed by the party establishment against Collins without success. This year, Platner offers a different approach as a populist outsider advocating for systemic changes, including taxing the wealthy, increasing the safety net, and reducing money in politics.

However, Platner’s past actions bring controversy. He’s addressed a chest tattoo he had covered due to its Nazi connections and explained away old Reddit posts criticizing police and using controversial language. Moreover, ex-girlfriends have accused Platner of troubling behavior, which he denies.

These issues have unsettled Democratic leaders in Washington. Some initially supported Platner after Mills exited, but now some suggest he should withdraw. Yet, Platner remains steadfast in his candidacy, supported by prominent figures like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Collins is working to separate herself from national politics, emphasizing her local contributions such as steering funds to Maine through her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. She continues to highlight her enduring service, recently casting her 10,000th consecutive vote.