Platner Shifts Focus to General Election

As Maine’s US Senate primary approaches, Democratic candidate Graham Platner is widening his lead over Governor Janet Mills. Recent polling data from Impact Research shows Platner with the support of 66% of likely Democratic primary voters, compared to 28% for Mills.

Despite this commanding lead, Platner has begun to direct his campaign’s attention towards Republican Senator Susan Collins, whom Democrats hope to unseat in November. This strategic shift comes as Mills launches negative attacks focusing on past online posts made by Platner.

New Ad Criticizes Collins’ Finances and Foreign Policy

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Platner released a one-minute ad online. The ad features footage of Platner at rallies across Maine, where he advocates for policies like Medicare for All and condemns war and mass deportation.

The ad directly criticizes Collins, stating she “is the epitome of the establishment politician who serves the donors and serves herself, who is cynical and duplicitous, who’s willing to say one thing and do another.” Platner urges voters to “shed all the people like her” and defeat Collins.

Focus on Wall Street Donations

Throughout the ad, text appears on screen highlighting specific criticisms of Collins. One segment points to a $2 million donation from Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman to Collins’ super political action committee just before she voted in favor of President Donald Trump’s tax bill, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

The ad also highlights Collins’ acceptance of $120,000 in campaign donations from health insurance PACs, coinciding with premium increases of up to 23% for Mainers in 2026, according to a Maine Beacon article.

Criticism of Iran War Stance

The ad further criticizes Collins’ support for President Trump’s actions regarding Iran. It references her statement that Trump possesses “inherent abilities as commander-in-chief” to respond to perceived threats from Iran.

This criticism comes as national polls indicate growing opposition to the war, with a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showing nearly 60% of Americans believe the war has gone too far. A Data for Progress survey also found that a majority believe the war primarily benefits Israel.

Mills’ Attacks Appear to Backfire

Platner stated, “We need to defeat Susan Collins. That work can’t wait until June. So we plan to make clear to Mainers starting today: Susan Collins is not on our side.” The primary election is scheduled for June 9.

Recent attacks from Governor Mills, focusing on comments Platner made on Reddit in 2013, appear to have been ineffective. Ryan Grim of Drop Site News commented, “Janet Mills going negative backfired, which doesn’t bode well for Collins either.”