Graham Platner Crushes Janet Mills In Maine PrimaryBut Susan Collins Faces An Even Bigger Problem

According to The Washington Times, an Emerson College poll released Thursday shows Mr. Platner leading Ms. Mills 55% to 28% among likely Democratic primary voters, with 13% still undecided. His strength is rooted in a decisive advantage among men, where he posts a 63% to 22% lead, while also topping Ms. Mills among women, 50% to 32%.

The June 9 primary will determine which Democrat faces Ms. Collins, a longtime incumbent whose seat is central to the lefts hopes of reclaiming Senate control. In general election trial heats, Mr. Platner leads Ms. Collins 48% to 41%, with 6% undecided, and Ms. Mills edges Ms. Collins 46% to 43%, with the remainder undecided or backing someone else.

March 26, 2026

Democrats strategy, as reported by The Washington Times, depends heavily on portraying Ms. Collins as out of step with the electorate, yet the numbers suggest voter dissatisfaction extends across the field. Ms. Collins approval rating is underwater, with 57% of likely voters viewing her unfavorably compared with 38% who like her, while Ms. Mills is also underwater, 54% to 40%, signaling broad discontent with the states liberal leadership.

Mr. Platner, a lesser-known figure, appears to benefit from not being as firmly defined in the public eye. His image is more mixed, with 42% favorable, 38% unfavorable, with 15% neutral, leaving room for Republicans to frame the race around policy contrasts and the consequences of one-party rule in Washington.

The Emerson College Polling survey of 1,075 Maine likely voters was conducted March 21-23 and carries a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. With Democrats banking on ousting Ms. Collins to expand federal power, conservatives will see this contest as a critical test of whether Maine voters truly want to double down on the Biden agenda or restore a stronger check on the lefts ambitions.