Guardian

Graham Platner shrugs off scandals to win Maine Democratic Senate primary

grahamformaine

MS Now

Platner romps to victory in Maine Democratic primary, will face Collins despite controversies

New York Post

Scandal-plagued Graham Platner clinches Dem Maine Senate primary: ‘I’ve made mistakes’

Maine Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results

Al Jazeera

Platner wins Maine Democratic Senate primary, vows to oust Collins

Financial Times

Graham Platner wins Maine Democratic primary for US Senate seat

I got older and became a communist: Deleted posts show Maine Senate hopefuls raw views on politics, war and police

NRSC

votetimscott

JanetMillsforME

Congress

Senator Susan M. Collins

Independent

Graham Platner wins Maine Senate Democratic primary despite Nazi tattoo scandal and womens abuse claims

USA: State of Maine

2026 Primary Candidate List

The Wall Street Journal

Graham Platner’s Wife Flagged Sexually Explicit Texts to His Senate Campaign

FOX News

The growing list of controversies threatening Democrat Graham Platner's Maine Senate bid

BBC News

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner apologises for tattoo that resembles Nazi symbol

PodSaveAmerica

Youtube

MS NOW EXCLUSIVE: Graham Platner responds to BOMBSHELL NYT report

The New York Times

Several Women Who Dated Graham Platner Recall ‘Unsettling’ Behavior

The Associated Press

Maine U.S. Senate Primary Election Live Results 2026

Platner wins Maine primary, setting up face-off with longtime Senator Collins

Metaculus

Which party will hold a plurality in the US Senate after the 2026 midterm elections?

Graham Platner

Janet Mills

Susan Collins

"ICE needs to be out of Maine."

"If the Federal government has warrants, then it should show them. But [otherwise] the Federal government is only sowing intimidation and fear and fostering division and suspicion among neighbors – none of which is welcome in Maine."

"Many of the tactics were excessive [but] ICE also does important work."

Maine 2026 Primaries: Where do the Candidates Stand on ICE Immigration Operations?

Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine combat veteran with no prior experience in elected office, won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, securing roughly 72% of the vote against Gov. Janet Mills and David Costello, with 81% of the ballots counted.

Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine combat veteran with no prior experience in elected office, won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, securing roughly 72% of the vote against Gov. Janet Mills and David Costello, with 81% of the ballots counted.

His victory occurred amid a barrage of scandals, including reports he exchanged sexually explicit texts with multiple women while married, over a tattoo resembling a Nazi SS symbol he said he obtained without knowing its meaning and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/maine-senate-candidate-platner-hit-by-inflammatory-reddit-posts">since-deleted offensive posts on Reddit</a>.

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His victory occurred amid a barrage of scandals, including reports he exchanged sexually explicit texts with multiple women while married, over a tattoo resembling a Nazi SS symbol he said he obtained without knowing its meaning and since-deleted offensive posts on Reddit.

Most recently, a report by The New York Times shared fresh allegations from several former partners of Graham about his volatile behavior towards them, as well as that he was fully aware of the tattoo's meaning before running for office.

Most recently, a report by The New York Times shared fresh allegations from several former partners of Graham about his volatile behavior towards them, as well as that he was fully aware of the tattoo's meaning before running for office.

Platner rejected these claims in an interview with MS Now, stating that claims of physicality and prior knowledge of his tattoo's meaning were "simply not true" and "the statements of someone who's politically motivated."

Platner rejected these claims in an interview with MS Now, stating that claims of physicality and prior knowledge of his tattoo's meaning were "simply not true" and "the statements of someone who's politically motivated."

His odds of winning the primary, however, were boosted after Mills suspended her campaign at the end of April, citing a lack of financial resources, though she ultimately remained on the primary ballot and has so far finished second with 19.5% of the vote.

His odds of winning the primary, however, were boosted after Mills suspended her campaign at the end of April, citing a lack of financial resources, though she ultimately remained on the primary ballot and has so far finished second with 19.5% of the vote.

The win sets up Platner to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's midterm elections. Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is considered a top Democratic target as they seek to flip the chamber.

The win sets up Platner to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's midterm elections. Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is considered a top Democratic target as they seek to flip the chamber.

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Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine veteran with no prior elected office experience, won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on June 9, 2026, securing 72% of the vote against Gov. Janet Mills and David Costello.

Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine veteran with no prior elected office experience, won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on June 9, 2026, securing 72% of the vote against Gov. Janet Mills and David Costello.

Platner will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's midterm elections. Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is considered a top Democratic target as her party seeks to flip the chamber.

Platner will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's midterm elections. Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is considered a top Democratic target as her party seeks to flip the chamber.

Platner's campaign was shadowed by reports of sexually explicit texts exchanged with multiple women while married, allegations of volatile behavior toward former partners and a tattoo linked to a Nazi SS symbol, which he said he obtained without knowing its meaning.

Platner's campaign was shadowed by reports of sexually explicit texts exchanged with multiple women while married, allegations of volatile behavior toward former partners and a tattoo linked to a Nazi SS symbol, which he said he obtained without knowing its meaning.

Platner denied allegations of physical intimidation, stating that claims of physicality and prior knowledge of his tattoo's meaning were "simply not true" and "the statements of someone who's politically motivated."

Platner denied allegations of physical intimidation, stating that claims of physicality and prior knowledge of his tattoo's meaning were "simply not true" and "the statements of someone who's politically motivated."

Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her Senate campaign in April, citing a lack of financial resources, though she remained on the primary ballot and finished second with 19.5% of the vote.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her Senate campaign in April, citing a lack of financial resources, though she remained on the primary ballot and finished second with 19.5% of the vote.

Sen. Bernie Sanders remained among Platner's most prominent supporters, arguing voters prioritized health care costs and economic insecurity over a candidate's personal life. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer also backed his candidacy.

Sen. Bernie Sanders remained among Platner's most prominent supporters, arguing voters prioritized health care costs and economic insecurity over a candidate's personal life. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer also backed his candidacy.

Graham Platner's win is a clear signal that working Mainers are fed up with Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. A veteran and oysterman who's lived the struggles of everyday people, Platner brings real credibility to this race. Maine deserves a senator who actually fights for working people, not the ultra-wealthy.

Graham Platner's win is a clear signal that working Mainers are fed up with Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. A veteran and oysterman who's lived the struggles of everyday people, Platner brings real credibility to this race. Maine deserves a senator who actually fights for working people, not the ultra-wealthy.

Graham Platner is a scandal-ridden candidate propped up by DC Democrats and left-wing billionaires — the very class he claims to oppose. Susan Collins has a proven record of delivering real results for Maine, while Platner offers nothing but empty populist rage. Mainers will see through the hypocrisy and reject his agenda at the ballot box.

Graham Platner is a scandal-ridden candidate propped up by DC Democrats and left-wing billionaires — the very class he claims to oppose. Susan Collins has a proven record of delivering real results for Maine, while Platner offers nothing but empty populist rage. Mainers will see through the hypocrisy and reject his agenda at the ballot box.

Senate Republicans

Tim Scott

US Midterms: Maine Senate Race

Oyster Farmer Beats Gov. Mills in Maine Senate Primary

United States of America

Politics

Platner's win is a clear signal that working-class Mainers are tired of Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. Under her watch, Maine has become increasingly unaffordable for its working people, while the ultra-rich have benefited. As senator, Platner will redress this imbalance and tackle the struggles of everyday people over those of the oligarchy.

Platner's win is a clear signal that working-class Mainers are tired of Susan Collins and the billionaire class she represents. Under her watch, Maine has become increasingly unaffordable for its working people, while the ultra-rich have benefited. As senator, Platner will redress this imbalance and tackle the struggles of everyday people over those of the oligarchy.

Platner is a scandal-ridden candidate propped up by the very same D.C. Democrats and left-wing billionaires he claims to oppose. Collins, meanwhile, stands in stark contrast to Platner's empty populist rage through her proven record of delivering real results for Maine. Mainers, therefore, will see through his hypocrisy and reject Platner at the ballot box.

Platner is a scandal-ridden candidate propped up by the very same D.C. Democrats and left-wing billionaires he claims to oppose. Collins, meanwhile, stands in stark contrast to Platner's empty populist rage through her proven record of delivering real results for Maine. Mainers, therefore, will see through his hypocrisy and reject Platner at the ballot box.

There is a 53% chance that the Republicans will hold the most seats in the U.S. Senate after the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 53% chance that the Republicans will hold the most seats in the U.S. Senate after the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Platner Beats Gov. Mills in Maine Senate Primary

OysterPlatner Farmer Beats Gov. Mills in Maine Senate Primary

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Platner

Mills

Collins

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