Democrat Graham Platner Wins Maine Senate Primary

Graham Platton, a 41-year-old veteran and oyster farmer, won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine with roughly 72% of the vote, far ahead of former Governor Janet Mills, who withdrew from the race in April. Platton will face five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November general election.

Platton’s campaign emphasized government-funded health care, free education, a wealth tax on fortunes over $1 billion, and measures to address the rising cost of living. He received early endorsements from progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, and drew significant fundraising support.

"In November, Maine voters will elect Graham Platton, and we will win a Senate majority," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The primary also saw results in Nevada, South Carolina and North Dakota. In Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, Trump-backed candidate Marty O’Donnell won the Republican primary with 42.4% of the vote and will challenge incumbent Democrat Susie Lee in the general election. In South Carolina, former Representative Nancy Mace failed to advance, while Trump-endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette secured a spot in a runoff for the governor’s race.

Platton’s personal history attracted media attention after reports of past online posts containing offensive language and a tattoo later identified as a Nazi symbol. He apologized for the remarks, attributing some of his behavior to post-traumatic stress disorder and depression stemming from his combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I’ve made mistakes in my life, mistakes that I regret, that I live with, that I continue to learn from. I’m still far from perfect, but every day I wake up, and I try to be a little bit better and a little bit kinder than I was the day before," Platton told supporters after the vote.