The Democratic establishment begrudgingly moves to embrace Graham Platner

Graham Platner was not the initial favorite among establishment Democrats to challenge GOP Sen. Susan Collins. Despite this, many are now supporting him, even if reluctantly.

As votes continued to be counted early Wednesday in Maine, Platner appeared to be winning nearly three-quarters of the Democratic primary votes. This impressive performance highlights the remarkable political journey of the oysterman, despite his various scandals. It is expected to ease concerns among national Democrats about replacing him with another candidate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had initially recruited Gov. Janet Mills for this crucial Senate race, only to see her withdraw in April after falling behind Platner in polls and fundraising. On Tuesday, Schumer expressed confidence in Platner’s candidacy.

Nevertheless, his emphasis remained on defeating Collins.

“Susan Collins is more vulnerable than ever, having voted with Trump 96 percent of the time, confirmed his far-right judicial nominees, and accepted millions from special interests while voting to strip health care from Mainers,” Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement. “In November, Maine voters will elect Graham Platner, and we will secure a Senate majority.”

The Senate Majority PAC, aligned with Democratic leadership, also sought to highlight the contrast between Platner and Collins.

“The difference between the two couldn’t be clearer: Platner’s agenda supports working people and families, while Collins maintains Washington’s status quo,” spokesperson Lauren French said in a statement.

Even centrist Democrats stressed the importance of defeating Collins and regaining Senate control, though they subtly expressed concerns about Platner’s potential to falter.

“This is a must-win seat,” stated Lanae Erickson, senior vice president at Third Way. “Susan Collins has done nothing but support Trump. If we fail to defeat her this year, it’s a missed opportunity.”

Platner’s significant primary victory might silence some of his Democratic critics, but he will need to maintain a broad coalition to defeat Collins and win over Democratic and independent voters—groups where the Republican senator has traditionally performed well. Some Democrats remain apprehensive about potential revelations from Platner’s past.

Republicans wasted no time in targeting Platner, focusing on his numerous scandals as a preview of the upcoming five-month campaign.

“Platner is undoubtedly the most toxic candidate of the cycle, and Democrats embracing him to further a radical socialist agenda has sealed their fate in Maine come November,” Republican National Chair Joe Gruters stated.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a new digital ad contrasting Collins and Platner, highlighting his tattoo and profile on the messaging app Kik. Meanwhile, the Senate Leadership Fund launched a website detailing opposition research against him.

Republican groups, led by the SLF and the pro-Collins Pine Tree Results PAC, have already secured nearly $70 million in TV ad time in Maine for the general election, according to AdImpact data, which tracks political advertising. Democratic groups have reserved $26 million so far.

In a victory speech in Blue Hill, Maine, Tuesday night, Platner argued that focusing on his past had been a misguided strategy.

“The national pundits, the political establishment, they keep searching for that one story, that one headline, that one moment in my life to define the campaign,” he told excited supporters. “But in trying so hard to understand me, they missed that this isn’t about me at all. This is a movement about us.”

Progressives took a gamble on Platner, arguing that establishment candidates had failed against Collins in past elections and that Platner’s insurgent candidacy was a calculated risk. His campaign attracted unprecedented grassroots support in Maine, drawing large crowds to his events statewide.

Progressives who had long supported Platner celebrated his victory Tuesday night.

“Tonight should serve as a wake-up call for a Democratic establishment that has underestimated the appeal of economic populism and outsider politics for too long,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an early supporter of Platner. “Platner’s November victory will steer the Democratic Party towards a more assertive economic-populist direction.”

Platner’s primary win came after a tumultuous week for his campaign. Heading into the general election, one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, he is still dealing with the fallout from a recent scandal: a New York Times report citing accounts from several ex-girlfriends alleging troubling past behavior. One woman claimed Platner knowingly got a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.

Platner denied any physical violence but admitted to being a “bad boyfriend” in past relationships. He also denied knowing the tattoo, which he had covered up last fall, was related to the Nazis.

The story, which followed reports of Platner exchanging sexual messages with women while married, sparked another controversy just days before the primary. Some Democrats quickly defended him, including California Rep. Ro Khanna, who appeared with Platner at a campaign event in Maine after the allegations.

“We reject, unequivocally, misogyny. But you know who else rejects it? Graham Platner,” Khanna said at the rally. “He acknowledged that those years weren’t his best.”

Khanna also told NBC News that Platner should apologize to the women.

Platner garnered additional high-profile support leading up to the primary: Sen. Brian Schatz, anticipated to be the next Democratic Whip, hosted a virtual fundraiser for Platner over the weekend, marking his first public show of support. Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith provided significant backing on Monday amid the controversy, stating in a post that he would win “because he has connected with Mainers on what they really care about” and “because he’s not part of the Washington establishment.”

Nevertheless, others like Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a potential 2028 presidential contender, avoided commenting on the allegations and expressed frustration: “I look forward to the day where I am not answering every single week a question about bad behavior by another dude,” she told MS NOW last weekend.

Not all Democrats immediately rallied behind Platner on Tuesday night. Mills released a lengthy statement that did not mention the oysterman. Although she suspended her campaign, she reminded voters up until Election Day that she remained on the ballot.

“I am grateful to Maine people and incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. I will continue to fight with everything I have to improve the lives and livelihoods of Maine people,” the two-term governor said.

Liz Crampton contributed to this report.