Summary
A poll shows Graham Platner leading Governor Janet Mills in the 2026 Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, despite controversies surrounding his past Reddit posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. The poll was taken before some of these controversies came to light, and Platner benefits from strong support among progressive groups. Maine presents a key opportunity for Democrats to gain a Senate seat, which adds significance to this primary race.
Key Facts
- Graham Platner is leading in a poll of Maine Democratic primary voters against Governor Janet Mills for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
- The poll found 58% of respondents supporting Platner, while 24% supported Mills.
- Platner, an oyster farmer and newcomer to politics, has faced backlash due to past Reddit posts and a controversial tattoo.
- The poll was taken before details about the tattoo controversy were widely known.
- Platner has gained support from progressive groups and politicians, including Bernie Sanders.
- The poll included 1,094 Maine residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
- Maine uses ranked-choice voting, which could influence the primary outcome.
