Democratic challenger Graham Platner faces veteran Sen. Susan Collins in Maine Senate race

Graham Platner, a former oyster farmer and Afghanistan/Iraq veteran, secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. He is campaigning against six‑term Republican incumbent Susan Collins, accusing her of perpetual tenure, supporting endless wars, and amassing wealth through her husband's stock portfolio. Platner also blames Collins for recent rural hospital closures tied to her vote on the "One Big Beautiful Bill" budget.

Betting markets show a sizable lead for Platner, with Polymarket pricing his shares at 67 cents versus 35 cents for Collins, indicating a 32‑point advantage. RealClearPolitics polling places him ahead by about 7.4 points, though Collins has a history of outperforming polls. Political analyst Larry Sabato, however, describes the contest as a toss‑up, noting its importance for whether Democrats can gain a Senate majority.