Platner will face Collins in November; U.S. House races pending

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

Graham Platner, a Maine oyster farmer, is projected to move forward in a general election for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Platner overcame a series of controversies to secure a lead in Maine’s ranked choice Democratic Senate primary. He was one of many candidates across the state who secured partisan victories on Tuesday

Here are some of those races.

U.S. Senate

Platner will face off against Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term in the United States Senate. Collins ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Platner drew endorsements from Democrats in Congress including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with Democrats.

One woman accused Platner of physically threatening behavior while they were dating. He also underwent controversy over a tattoo he received that is widely recognized as a Nazi symbol.

Platner denied the allegations of threatening behavior and said he was not aware his tattoo was a Nazi symbol.

“I’m not proud of who I was then, but I am proud of the work I’ve done since, and the movement we are building in Maine,” Platner said in a statement.

Platner has advocated for a 5-6% tax on wealth over one billion dollars and a “cost-of-living” tax exemption for middle-class Americans.

“The federal government could adopt a property tax fairness credit—similar to Maine’s—that ensures low- and middle-income families do not pay more than 4% of their income in property taxes,” Platner wrote.

Collins has skated on thin ice with President Donald Trump over the past year after she did not vote to advance his signature legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” over concerns it made improper cuts to Medicaid and rural hospital funding.

“I did the right thing for the people of Maine and I am proud of my no vote,” Collins said.

Trump did not endorse Collins in the Republican primary. It is unclear whether he will endorse her heading into the general election, as the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance.

U.S. House

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree will face off against either Ronald Russell or Joshua Pietrowicz in November. Pingree ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Maine’s first Congressional district.

The Republican nomination race was too close to call late on Tuesday night. Russell barely edged ahead of Pietrowicz at 10:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.

Pingree focused her campaign on lowering prescription drug costs and increasing affordable healthcare. She has advocated for Medicare for All, a single-payer healthcare system that she said would reduce costs for Americans with medical concerns.

“We can address unreasonable out-of-pocket costs and confusing administrative hurdles, and ensure that every American, no matter their age, income level, disability, or health history, can access the care they need when they or their families need it,” Pingree’s website reads.

Russell has focused his campaign on reducing crime and lowering taxes for middle class families. He supported the tax cuts provided through the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“We need to protect the temporary tax relief gains made by passage of the Big Beautiful Bill and make them permanent,” Russell’s website reads. “We must back extra inflation adjustments for lower and middle brackets so cost‑of‑living increases don’t quietly push Mainers into higher federal tax brackets.”

Pietrowicz has focused his campaign on increased defense spending, affordable housing and raising taxes for billionaires.

District 2

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage will head to the November general election against a Democratic candidate who is yet to be determined. LePage ran unopposed in the Republican primary and floated through the race with an endorsement from Trump.

Lepage called for lowering taxes, cutting government regulations and supporting the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.

“He will work to eliminate wasteful spending which drove up inflation under Biden,” Lepage’s website reads.

Maine Sen. Joseph Baldacci led the pack of candidates with 32.6% of the vote followed by state auditor Matthew Dunlap with 29% of the vote at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Baldacci has fiercely opposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare. He has focused his platform on supporting the right to abortion and securing public school funds.

He criticized the cuts to Medicare in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and touted his record preventing cuts to the program.

“We need to protect your benefits while ensuring that generations to come are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor,” Baldacci’s website reads. “This can all be done without taxes on your benefits, increasing the retirement age, or cutting programs that help seniors afford their much-needed prescriptions.”

Dunlap has called on expanding Medicare for All, abortion rights and lowering inflation costs.

“I’ll fight for universal childcare, good-paying jobs, and a surge in affordable housing to help our neighbors manage a middle-class life again,” Dunlap’s website reads.