43 resultsfor “Maine Senate race primary candidates”
candidate Graham Platner speaks during a primary election night watch party on June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. ](https://static.politico.com/b4/09/1f03064447c4bfaf61cbc8f67535/election-2-26-maine-senate-51582.jpg) Not every senator traditionally endorses in every race
candidate](https://x.com/nrsc/status/2048409093644173368) in the Michigan Senate race. In Maine, [the group posted that Graham Platner,](https://x.com/nrsc/status/2048411208869458165) the Democratic primary
primary winners will set up crucial November races *—* [*Kevin Miller*](https://www.mainepublic.org/people/kevin-miller) *and* [*Steve Mistler*](https://www.mainepublic.org/people/steve-mistler)*, Maine Public* --- ### Maine's U.S. Senate seat If Democrats want control of the U.S. come November
Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner are leaving fellow Democrats in an uncomfortable holding pattern until Tuesday’s primary. Some Democrats are wishcasting that Gov. Janet Mills — who [suspended her campaign for Senate in April
primary [Graham Platner](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/may/18/maine-senate-susan-collins), a Marine veteran, oyster farmer and progressive activist, has scaled a mountain of personal controversies to win the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine. Victory on Tuesday
Maine on early Wednesday morning, Platner looked to be winning just shy of three-quarters of the Democratic primary ballots. The strong showing marks a stunning political journey for the oysterman despite his many scandals
candidates overall in seven seats held by Republicans — Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Alaska, Florida, Iowa and Texas. In the last quarter, Democrats also reported matching or exceeding Republican fundraising totals in several Senate races
Maine voters. Several Democratic voters were hesitant to weigh in on the Senate race, saying they felt Platner’s candidacy was all but certain at this point and sharing their opinion on him was likely
Race rating denotations (Toss-Up, Lean, etc.) are based on the Cook Political Report. Analysis is based on conversations with political operatives involved in the campaigns. Loading... ## **Tier 1 — Most likely to flip: North Carolina
Maine has emerged as one of the most heated primary battlegrounds. With Democrats desperate to flip four seats in the US Senate, all eyes are on Republican Senator Susan Collins’s re-election campaign. Democrats
Senate, at a campaign event on June 5, 2026, in Bar Harbor, Maine.](https://static.politico.com/7c/f6/84f72188471b9c87601c4027a176/election-2-26-maine-senate-57992.jpg) At a pre-planned Friday rally alongside Khanna, Maine 2nd District candidate Matt Dunlap and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson
candidates advance to a face-off, though there are variations on the format. In California, for instance, most statewide primary races are nonpartisan, and the top-two vote-getters from any party move forward
main Senate Republican Super Pac has announced plans to spend $79m in Ohio, and Democratic-aligned groups are expected to do the same. In the gubernatorial primary to succeed DeWine, who is term-limited
Maine Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race to oust GOP Sen. Susan Collins. Establishment Democrats worry that these figures — whose platforms play well among primary voters but could bite them in a general
Maine voters will elect Graham Platner, and we will win a Senate majority,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Schumer
Maine Senator Susan Collins called Paxton "ethically challenged". Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "supremely disappointed". Trump, however, appears to have different preferences. The president is supporting a Texas politician who has long been
main candidates? We answer those questions and more in this brief explainer. ## When is the Ohio primary? The Ohio primary will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. ## When do polls open and close? Polls
primary runoff for senator. His victory signals that even a scandal-plagued candidate can win over the deep red state with the support of the president. The race had wide implications for Trump’s strength
candidates for several key matchups for the November general elections. In Maine, [voters chose Democrat Graham Platner](https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-06-09/graham-platner-wins-democratic-nomination-to-challenge-susan-collins-in-november) to challenge long-time Republican Sen. Susan Collins for the state's U.S. Senate seat
Senate. “While others talk about revolution and division, Susan Collins is delivering for Maine communities by funding rural hospitals, supporting our shipbuilders and fishermen, improving infrastructure, expanding broadband, and strengthening public safety,” said Collins’ spokesperson