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Wealthy donors fund $4M Maine PAC; Platner leads Collins

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nonprofits linked to a Republican consultant funneled $750,000 into a super PAC that spent $4 million on ads against challenger Graham Platner in Maine.
The PAC’s donors, including Stephen Schwarzman, Paul Singer, Alex Karp and an Altria affiliate, prompt Platner to argue that donors force politicians to serve donors, not working families.
A University of New Hampshire poll in late May showed Platner leading incumbent Senator Susan Collins by nine points despite the ads.

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Story summary

Nonprofits linked to a Republican consultant funneled $750,000 into a super PAC that spent $4 million on ads against challenger Graham Platner in Maine.
The PAC’s donors, including Stephen Schwarzman, Paul Singer, Alex Karp and an Altria affiliate, prompt Platner to argue that donors force politicians to serve donors, not working families.
A University of New Hampshire poll in late May showed Platner leading incumbent Senator Susan Collins by nine points despite the ads.