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Graham Platner Secures End Citizens United Endorsement

5/14/2026, 5:11:37 AM

End Citizens United Endorses Graham Platner

On Wednesday, End Citizens United (ECU) announced its endorsement of presumptive Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner in Maine, adding the group’s support to his challenge against five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins. ECU, founded to overturn the 2010 Citizens United decision that lifted limits on corporate election spending, sees Platner’s refusal of corporate PAC money as central to its “Unrig Washington” agenda.

Candidates and Organizations

Platner, an oyster farmer and veteran, launched his campaign in August with an ad labeling “billionaires” and “the oligarchy” “the enemy.” His platform includes campaign-finance reform, a wealth tax, Medicare for All, ending “pointless wars.” ECU is led by president Tiffany Muller and focuses on eliminating corporate PAC influence. Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins has a record of accepting corporate PAC contributions, which ECU highlights. Gov. Janet Mills, Maine’s Democratic governor, withdrew from the Senate primary in May, citing insufficient funds.

Money, Polls, and Numbers

Platner reported $4.1 million in small-donor contributions in the first quarter of 2026. Internal polls released in March show him ahead of both Collins and former rival Mills. ECU’s endorsement follows its pattern of backing candidates who refuse corporate PAC money.

Official Statements & Responses

Tiffany Muller said Platner “understands that people in Maine are fed up” and praised his refusal to accept corporate PAC money. Platner reiterated his pledge to keep corporate PACs out of his campaign, arguing that politics has been “bought and paid for by billionaires for far too long.” He also warned that Supreme Court justices should be held to the same standards as federal judges, implying a case for impeachment of at least two justices.

Criticism of Incumbent

ECU’s statements accuse Collins of “never meeting a corporate PAC check she didn’t like” and of “rewarding her biggest donors in exchange for campaign contributions,” framing her record as evidence of a system that benefits the ultra-wealthy at the expense of working Mainers.

Verbatim Quotes

  • “billionaires” and “the oligarchy” are “the enemy.” — Graham Platner, candidate
  • “We don't take a dime of corporate PAC money, and we're going to keep it that way, because our politics has been bought and paid for by billionaires for far too long," Platner said.” — Graham Platner, candidate
  • “It's long past time to overturn Citizens United and take on establishment politicians like Susan Collins, who have enriched the ultrawealthy and themselves on the backs of working people in this country.” — Graham Platner, candidate
  • “Unlike Graham, who rejects corporate PAC money and refuses to sell out, Sen. Collins has never met a corporate PAC check she didn't like,” — Tiffany Muller, End Citizens United president

Outlook

Platner will compete in the June Democratic primary before facing Collins in the November general election. ECU plans to mobilize its network for fundraising, voter outreach, and pressure on lawmakers to advance campaign-finance reform.