US EditionPlatner Holds Wide Lead over Mills in Early Primary Poll, as Controversies Mount
Graham Platner leads with 58% support among likely Democratic primary voters, more than double Gov. Janet Mills’ 24%, despite recent controversies not reflected in the poll.
- Thursday, the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found Graham Platner, political newcomer, leading Gov. Janet Mills 58% to 24% among likely Democratic primary voters.
- The survey was conducted between Oct. 16-21 by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3% among 510 likely Democratic primary voters.
- Mills retained higher favorability overall, with 65% versus 60% for Platner, but Platner led among voters ages 18-49 while seniors were tied, and Democrats' approval of Mills fell from 94% to 83%.
- The poll noted that it does not address controversies facing Graham Platner's campaign, including CNN's report on inflammatory Reddit posts and his Monday tattoo revelation.
- Strategists say the UNH poll shows the Senate race as a key target, with Maine's referendums deadlocked and LePage leading Golden 49%-44 in a hypothetical 2026 matchup.
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UNH poll shows Graham Platner leading Democratic field of Senate challengers by wide margin
The poll shows that 58% of likely Democratic primary voters favor Platner. Janet Mills, Maine's two-term governor, who was recruited by national party leaders, was polling at just 24%. None of the other candidates in the crowded field received more than 1%.
Polling and sizable crowd signal support for Platner remains despite controversies
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Graham Platner speaks to a crowd of about 200 in Caribou on Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) After a week on the defensive explaining controversies unearthed from his past, Graham Platner, the oyster farmer challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her seat in 2026, still drew a crowd to his town hall in Ogunquit Wednesday night. The first public polling on the race also backs …
Platner holds wide lead over Mills in early primary poll, as controversies mount
A new poll shows Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner holds a wide lead over Gov. Janet Mills (D) in polling ahead of the state’s Democratic primary for Senate, which is set to take place in June. Platner received support of 58 percent of Pine Tree State Democratic primary voters, while 24 percent said they would…
Central Maine News
Portland Press HeraldPlatner has more than twice the support of Mills among primary voters, UNH poll says
The poll was conducted around the same time reports surfaced about a series of inflammatory social media posts made by Platner, and prior to news that the U.S. Senate candidate has a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.
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- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
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