Mills Releases Attack Ad Highlighting Platner's Past Reddit Remarks
Six-figure statewide ad buy airs Tuesday ahead of the June 9 Democratic primary, highlighting Platner's 2013 Reddit posts and his tattoo controversy.
Washington ExaminerJanet Mills highlights Graham Platner's comments about rape victims in attack ad
ABC NewsMills and Platner spar over attack ad in intensification of Maine primary to face Susan Collins
FOX NewsDem primary turns ugly: Mills unleashes brutal attack on Sanders-backed Platner in crucial Senate showdown
CBS NewsMaine Democratic Senate primary grows increasingly bitter as party vies to unseat Susan Collins in key race
Overview
The Mills campaign released a 30-second statewide ad Tuesday that quotes Graham Platner's 2013 Reddit posts dismissive of sexual assault and concludes "the closer you look, the worse it gets."
The ad marks a shift in Mills's messaging ahead of the June 9 Democratic primary to replace Sen. Susan Collins, as some public polls show Platner leading Mills.
Platner apologized for his past internet posts and his campaign manager Ben Chin called the ad "a desperate attempt for relevance."
Platner raised roughly $7.8 million last year to Mills's $2.6 million and Collins's $4.6 million, and Democrats need to net four seats to retake a Senate where they hold 47 seats to Republicans' 53.
The winner of the June 9 Democratic primary will face Sen. Susan Collins and the race is expected to draw significant outside spending.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the contest as an establishment-versus-outsider clash that highlights controversies around the challenger. They foreground Mills’ establishment backing and a campaign ad exposing Platner’s past posts and a controversial tattoo, prioritizing allegations and conflict while including his apologies and populist endorsements as counterpoints.
FAQ
Graham Platner is the Sullivan harbor master who has emerged as a leading candidate in Maine's 2026 Democratic Senate primary.[1] Despite being a political newcomer, Platner has positioned himself as an anti-establishment progressive candidate challenging the Democratic Party's preferred choice of Governor Janet Mills.[3] He has garnered significant support, with some polling showing him with a consistent lead over both Mills in the primary and incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in general election matchups.[1]
The primary is competitive due to anti-establishment sentiment among Maine's liberal electorate, which resents national Democratic leadership for failing to defeat President Donald Trump in 2024.[3] While Governor Janet Mills is the establishment-backed candidate with support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Graham Platner represents a challenge to this establishment preference, explicitly campaigning as an alternative to party leaders.[3] The contentious nature of the race reflects broader turbulence in Democratic primaries across battleground states like Iowa, Texas, and Michigan.[3]
The Democratic primary winner will face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November general election, which is expected to be highly competitive and draw significant outside spending.[1] Winning control of the Senate is crucial for Democrats, who currently hold 47 seats to Republicans' 53 and need to net four seats to retake the majority.[1] The Maine Senate race is widely viewed as one of the most competitive in the 2026 Senate election cycle.[1]
Graham Platner significantly outraised Governor Janet Mills in fundraising, bringing in approximately $7.8 million compared to Mills's $2.6 million.[1] For context, incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins raised $4.6 million.[1] Platner's substantial fundraising advantage despite being a political newcomer has contributed to his competitiveness in the race and ability to build campaign infrastructure.
