Maine Senate Race: Platner vs. Collins After Mills' Exit

Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she is suspending her Senate campaign for lack of financial resources. Her withdrawal leaves progressive 79-year-old Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race deemed a top Democratic target. Maine gave Democrat Kamala Harris a seven-point margin in 2024 and shows 39 percent Trump approval, factors that may aid Democrats.

Newsweek

Platner’s campaign faces criticism for posts on rural Americans, women and Black people and a tattoo resembling the Nazi Totenkopf, which he plans to remove. GOP’s Alex Latcham of the Senate Leadership Fund called him a “silver spoon charlatan” with extremist ties. Democratic Senate Majority PAC pledged to “fight to defeat Collins” and allocated $24 million for Maine TV ads. Dan Shea expects Platner’s supporters to coalesce quickly, drawing donors.

Newsweek

RealClearPolitics shows Platner ahead by 7.6 points. An Emerson College poll (Mar 21-23, 2026; n = 1,075) gave Platner 48 % vs. Collins 41 %, Mills 46 % vs. 43 %. A Maine People’s Resource Center poll (Mar 20-31, 2026; n = 1,167) also gave Platner 48 % but Collins 39 %, Mills 45 % vs. 42 %. Both agree on Platner’s 48 % support; margins differ (7-point vs. 9-point). Turnout and spending data remain unavailable.

Newsweek

The Senate holds a 53-47 Republican majority; Democrats must flip four seats to regain control, and Maine is a viable target given its Democratic presidential margin and low Trump approval. A Collins loss would highlight Republican vulnerability in moderate states and could shift Washington’s power balance.

Newsweek

• “While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources. That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate,” — Janet Mills, Governor of Maine

Newsweek

• “I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that—and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed.” — Graham Platner, Democratic Senate candidate

Newsweek

• “Graham Platner is a silver spoon charlatan who fantasizes about sexual assault, admires Nazi storm troopers, and role-plays as a working class Mainer when he went to a 70k-per-year private boarding school,” — Alex Latcham, Executive Director, Senate Leadership Fund

Newsweek

• “Her supporters in Maine will consolidate quickly behind Graham Platner, and just as importantly, national donors and party groups will follow. Everyone understands that Maine is pivotal, so you’ll see a rapid influx of outside attention and resources,” — Dan Shea, Professor of Political Science, Colby College

Newsweek