Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is declaring his Democratic primary race against Gov. Janet Mills essentially over, despite two months remaining until the June 9 election. Campaign manager Ben Chin told donors and allies they are shifting focus toward the general election against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Internal polling shows Platner leading Mills by double digits across multiple surveys.
The primary has exposed deep Democratic Party divisions over age, gender and ideology in one of the country's most contentious intraparty contests. Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and veteran, has secured progressive endorsements including Sen. Bernie Sanders. Mills, 78 and serving her second gubernatorial term, has backing from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Platner's campaign memo references three recent polls showing leads between 27 and 38 percentage points, including at least one survey paid for by his own campaign. The polling was conducted after Mills began airing negative advertisements three weeks ago, featuring women criticizing controversial social media comments Platner made about rape. The campaign suggests these attacks have failed to damage his standing.
Mills faces an uphill battle but her campaign remains defiant about the race's outcome. Spokesperson Tommy Garcia argued that Republicans prefer to face Platner in November and noted Mills' history of overcoming political predictions. The winner will challenge Collins, a moderate Republican seeking her sixth Senate term in a state that has grown increasingly competitive.