Embattled Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is locked in a virtual dead heat with Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine's crucial Senate race, according to a new poll. Platner garnered 49% support among likely voters, while Collins held 47%, with 3% undecided, a Siena College poll released Monday indicated. The two-point difference falls within the survey's margin of error, signaling a tightly contested election.
Collins, a moderate Republican seeking her sixth term, is a key figure in the GOP's effort to maintain its slim Senate majority in the upcoming midterm elections. Democrats aim to flip the Senate seat in the left-leaning state as part of their strategy to regain control.
Platner, a populist candidate backed by progressive figures like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, won Maine's Democratic Senate primary earlier this month. He defeated two lesser-known rivals and also surpassed two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who had suspended her campaign.
Platner's primary victory came as he navigated a series of controversies. These include inflammatory online comments, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, allegations of exchanging sexually explicit messages while married, and accusations from ex-girlfriends regarding a history of rape fantasies, heavy drinking, and violent episodes. Platner has denied the allegations of violence.
Despite the controversies, more than 90% of Platner supporters surveyed stated their vote was based on his stances on issues. Platner has acknowledged struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from his military service and has apologized for his controversial Reddit posts. He has explained the tattoo was acquired in 2007 while serving with fellow Marines and was later covered up after he learned of its resemblance to a Nazi symbol. However, allegations from an ex-girlfriend have raised questions about his timeline regarding knowledge of the tattoo.
In his primary victory speech, Platner emphasized personal change, stating, "If you believe, as I do, that we can change our politics and change our country, then you must also believe that people can change. And the reason I believe that is because I have lived it. And the reason that I have lived it is because of my wife."
The poll, conducted from June 19-26, also revealed that while 54% of respondents prefer Democrats to win control of the Senate, only 49% are supporting Platner. Collins is attracting 10% of voters who favor Democratic control. Furthermore, a majority of Maine voters surveyed do not believe Platner possesses "good character" or the "right kind of moral values," and nearly half consider him too extreme.
Conversely, over 60% of voters believe Collins has good character and appropriate moral values, with only a third finding her too extreme. However, warning signs exist for Collins as well. A majority of respondents think she is too supportive of former President Donald Trump, and some of her supporters question her age and effectiveness.
Collins, who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial and opposed the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is also remembered for her 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Platner, 41, has never held elective office, and some Democratic respondents expressed concern about his inexperience.
Six years ago, Collins defied polls and won reelection by nine points against then-Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon. The recent Siena poll aligns with some other surveys, though a University of New Hampshire poll last month suggested Platner held a nine-point lead. Platner's campaign has contrasted his grassroots support with Collins' backing from the Washington establishment.