Maine Democrats Rally Around Platner as Republicans Escalate Attacks

Overview

• Delegates at the Maine Democratic convention voiced confidence in Graham Platner, who became the presumptive nominee after Gov. Janet Mills exited the race over fundraising troubles.
• Platner still faces a June 9 primary against former state official David Costello, though party activists described a fast coalescing around his bid to challenge Sen. Susan Collins.
• National Republicans are casting Platner as an extreme progressive, with Sen. Tim Scott and other leaders highlighting his links to Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
• A GOP super PAC aired ads featuring Platner’s past social media posts and a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, while Platner says he has changed, attributes earlier posts to trauma from war, and invites questions at open town halls.
• Polling averages reported by RealClearPolitics show Platner leading Collins by nearly eight points, though Republicans note Collins trailed in early polls in past cycles and later won.