The Senate race in Maine is a battlefield, with Graham Platner's chances of unseating Republican incumbent Susan Collins slipping as controversies pile up. A new poll from President Donald Trump’s pollster reveals a deadlock at 46 percent for both candidates.
Conducted between June 1 and 3, the poll by Tony Fabrizio, David Lee, and Travis Tunis for the Collins-aligned Pine Tree Results PAC shows a modest rise in Platner's favorability from 35 percent to 40 percent. However, his unfavorable rating skyrocketed from 29 percent to 49 percent during the same timeframe.
The polling memo bluntly states, “Graham Platner’s image had cratered with his unfavorables nearly doubling.” In January, Platner held 44 percent of the vote compared to Collins' 45 percent. Now, the race is neck-and-neck, but further damaging revelations could erode his support even more.
Nearly 60 percent of voters indicated they would be less likely to support Platner if they were aware of his activity on Kik, a social media platform labeled a "predator's paradise" by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. Reports have surfaced about a Kik profile linked to Platner that remains active despite claims of deletion, though there’s no evidence he communicated with minors.
The Maine Senate race is described as “HIGHLY competitive,” with the pollster warning that emerging controversies could further damage Platner’s reputation. Collins and her allies are urged to maintain pressure on him as Democratic funding attempts to salvage his candidacy.
Betting platforms reflect a grim outlook for Platner, showing his chances of winning at their lowest since he entered the race last year. The oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran launched his campaign for Collins' Senate seat in August 2025.
Platner, a progressive figure critical of the Democratic establishment and endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, has focused on housing affordability, universal health care, labor unions, and reducing billionaire influence. However, his campaign has been derailed by controversies since October 2025.
Old Reddit posts resurfaced, containing offensive language and rhetoric promoting political violence from 2010 to 2021. Platner apologized for these posts, claiming they do not reflect who he is today.
In October 2025, scrutiny intensified over a skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest linked to Nazi imagery. Platner claimed ignorance of the connection, apologized, and covered it up.
May brought reports of sexually explicit messages sent to multiple women while married. Initially dismissed as gossip by his campaign, Platner later expressed regret and stated he and his wife were working through their issues.
Recent revelations from the New York Times detailed unsettling behavior from women who dated Platner, including claims of intimidation. His campaign strongly disputes any allegations of physical intimidation or altercations, labeling them politically motivated.
In an interview with MS Now with Chris Hayes, Platner denied any physical allegations and criticized the timing of the stories as distractions from key issues like healthcare and tax reform.
He has openly discussed his mental health struggles, stating in response to the New York Times report: “Throughout this campaign, I’ve been open about what was a very dark period of my life where I struggled with undiagnosed PTSD.”
With the primary election looming, Platner is unlikely to withdraw from the race. Winning is crucial for the Democratic Party's control of the Senate in November.
The impact of recent controversies on Maine voters remains uncertain. Prior polls indicated Platner had a slight lead over Collins.
A recent UMass Lowell poll shows Platner at 48 percent support compared to Collins' 43 percent, with 6 percent undecided and 2 percent backing another candidate.
John Cluverius from UMass Lowell noted that both candidates face challenges: “For Collins, a bad economy and historically unpopular president are making the road to reelection extremely bumpy.”
The ranked-choice Democratic primary election is set for Tuesday, June 9. If Platner prevails, he will face Collins in the general election on Tuesday, November 3.
