A fresh poll in Maine’s Senate race reveals that three potential Democratic replacements for former candidate Graham Platner are running nearly even with Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The statewide survey, first reported by NOTUS, tested head-to-head match-ups between Collins and three Democrats: Nirav Shah, former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director, alongside other former gubernatorial candidates. The exact numbers were not provided in available sources, but the result signals a competitive race with the incumbent's reelection not guaranteed.
The polling comes as Maine Democrats gather to select a replacement for Platner, who dropped out after being accused of sexually assaulting his former partner. The contest now focuses on who can best carry the party’s banner against Collins, a four-term moderate who has consistently outperformed national GOP trends in the state. The eventual nominee will inherit Platner’s campaign infrastructure but faces a compressed timeline to build name recognition and fundraising.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) endorsed progressive candidate Troy Jackson on Thursday, throwing his weight behind the state Senate president. Khanna previously campaigned for Platner but withdrew support after the accusations emerged, citing a desire to support a candidate aligned with his values. The endorsement positions Jackson as the progressive favorite, though other contenders including Shah bring broader statewide experience from their gubernatorial runs.
Collins, a former chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has historically drawn crossover support from moderate Democrats and independents. However, her votes on key issues such as the Affordable Care Act repeal and Supreme Court confirmations have energized progressive opposition. The polling suggests that no candidate has yet consolidated the anti-Collins vote, with the primary battle likely to shape the general election’s dynamics.
Political analysts note that while Collins has survived tough races before, this cycle’s Democratic bench and national fundraising networks could make 2024 her most challenging contest yet. The party’s internal contest, expected to conclude within weeks, will determine whether it can unite behind a single challenger capable of capitalizing on any anti-incumbent sentiment.