Overview
- Graham Platner said he still would not support Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader, describing a recent phone call with Schumer as perfectly cordial.
- Key figures in Gov. Janet Mills’ orbit have not rallied behind Platner, with some citing his lack of experience and past online posts, though several say they would back him if he becomes the nominee.
- National Democrats have moved to line up behind Platner, with endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego, and a congratulatory outreach from Schumer.
- Republican groups backing Sen. Susan Collins have begun airing ads hitting Platner over decade‑old Reddit comments about women and rape and a chest tattoo critics said resembled a Nazi symbol, and outside groups have reserved tens of millions of dollars in ads through November.
- Platner is running on an energy plan that would end the federal gas and diesel tax, freeze electricity rate hikes, and seed a clean‑energy fund, which he says would cut household costs in Maine.