Janet Mills Targets Graham Platner in Aggressive Senate Primary Ad Campaign

Maine Governor Janet Mills has launched a negative advertising campaign against Graham Platner, her opponent in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. The ad, released on March 17, 2026, focuses on Platner's past comments regarding sexual assault made on Reddit in 2013. In these now-deleted posts, Platner suggested that victims of rape should "take responsibility" for their actions and not become excessively intoxicated. The ad features women voters reacting negatively to these remarks, with one describing him as a "bully" and another labeling the comments as "disqualifying."

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The ad also references a tattoo Platner had, which resembled a Nazi symbol, although it does not explicitly mention it. Platner has stated that he was unaware of the tattoo's meaning when he got it 20 years ago and has since covered it up. The ad concludes with a narrator ominously stating, “The closer you look, the worse it gets,” hinting at further attacks to come.

New York Times

Mills' campaign views this ad as a pivotal moment in the primary race, marking a shift to a more aggressive strategy as she seeks to regain momentum against Platner, who has gained significant traction among voters. Polls indicate that Platner, a newcomer to politics and a veteran oyster farmer, has taken the lead in the primary race despite controversies surrounding his past comments and the tattoo. His campaign has positioned him as an anti-establishment candidate advocating for a blue-collar revolution in Washington.

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Critics of Platner, including Mills' supporters, believe that many voters remain unaware of his controversial past. They argue that once informed, voters will reject him due to the nature of his comments and concerns about his electability against Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins. A source close to Mills' campaign emphasized that “the majority of voters don’t live on Twitter or digest every piece of news,” suggesting that Platner's previous lack of negative advertising may have shielded him from scrutiny.

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Mills' campaign has indicated that this ad represents a new phase in their strategy, with plans to "litigate Platner’s record" more aggressively. Platner has responded to the backlash by apologizing for his past comments, attributing them to trauma from his military service and stating that he no longer holds those views.

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• “this guy gives off a vibe.” — Woman in Mills' ad

Portland Press-Herald

• “Graham Platner: The closer you look, the worse it gets,” — Narrator in Mills' ad

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• “Just no way I could vote for you,” — Woman in Mills' ad

Portland Press-Herald

As the primary election approaches on June 9, 2026, both candidates are expected to ramp up their campaigns. Mills aims to leverage Platner's past to solidify her position, while Platner will need to counter these attacks to maintain his lead among Democratic voters. The outcome of this primary is crucial, as the winner will face Senator Susan Collins in the general election, a race deemed critical for Democrats aiming to flip the Senate seat.

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