Maine Senate Race Tightens as Poll Shows Nearly Half of Voters Find Democrat 'Too Extreme'

Nearly half of Maine voters consider Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner "too extreme," according to a new poll, as the race against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins tightens. The survey, conducted by The New York Times, Portland Press Herald, and Siena College, found that 49% of likely voters still favor Platner, while 47% support Collins. However, Platner's lead has narrowed significantly.

The poll, conducted between June 19 and June 26 with 608 likely voters, also indicated that only 44% of respondents describe Platner as having "good character," compared to 66% for Collins. Additionally, just 45% believe Platner "has the right kind of moral values," while 61% hold that view of Collins.

Platner, endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, supports policies including a single-payer healthcare system, expanding the Supreme Court, and a wealth tax. His campaign has faced scrutiny over past incidents, including accusations of physical abuse of a former girlfriend, sexting while married, offensive online comments, and a tattoo featuring a Nazi SS symbol. Platner has denied accusations of violence and stated he was unaware of the significance of the tattoo.

In terms of favorability, Collins holds a slight advantage, with 48% of voters viewing her favorably, compared to 45% for Platner. Furthermore, 61% of respondents believe Collins would be more effective at bringing federal dollars to Maine, a key issue given her position as the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee. Only 34% expressed the same confidence in Platner.

The tightening race is seen as a significant opportunity for Democrats to gain a Senate seat. Collins, the sole Republican representing New England in Congress, is seeking her sixth term. The RealClearPolitics polling average now shows Platner leading Collins by four percentage points, a reduction from his earlier advantage in April. In 2020, Collins trailed her Democratic opponent by more than five percentage points in the average but ultimately won re-election by 8.6 percentage points. The survey also noted that approximately 60% of Maine voters disapprove of former President Trump, a figure consistent with September 2020. The poll's margin of error was plus-or-minus 4.8 percentage points.