Hoping to flip Maine, Democrats battle it out in an expensive U.S. Senate primary : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- The Democratic primary in Maine to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins has become highly contentious, with Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner spending heavily on their campaigns while Collins has spent relatively little on her reelection.
- Platner, endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, has gained momentum with a message appealing to working-class voters and currently leads Mills in recent polls, despite controversy over past offensive social media posts and a tattoo resembling Nazi imagery.
- Mills, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, has launched attack ads focusing on Platner's past comments, particularly targeting female voters, while Platner has apologized and framed the attacks as efforts by party establishment to undermine him.
- Collins benefits from significant outside spending, including over $10 million from the group One Nation, which supports her indirectly through issue advocacy, allowing her to conserve campaign funds while outside groups outspend both Democrats.
- Political analysts warn that the Democrats' infighting and attack ads could risk alienating Platner's supporters and potentially harm the party's chances in the general election against Collins.
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