Maine primaries on Tuesday decide U.S. Senate, congressional and governor races

Maine voters will cast ballots on Tuesday in state and local primaries covering the U.S. Senate seat, both congressional districts and the governor’s office, along with 186 legislative seats, school budgets and local referendums. More than 56,000 absentee ballots had been submitted by the Thursday deadline for in‑person absentee voting.

Results are expected to start flowing Tuesday night, but the two gubernatorial primaries and the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District are likely to require ranked‑choice runoffs. In the Senate race, political newcomer Graham Platner is favored to win the Democratic primary and will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign but remains on the ballot.

The Democratic gubernatorial field includes Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, entrepreneur Angus King III, former House Speaker Hannah Pingree and former health official Nirav Shah. Republican contenders feature businessman Jonathan Bush, former assistant secretary of state Bobby Charles, real‑estate broker David Jones, ex‑Senate majority leader Garrett Mason, medical‑tech entrepreneur Owen McCarthy, former fitness franchise executive Ben Midgley and retailer Robert Wessels. In the 1st District, Rep. Chellie Pingree runs unopposed in the Democratic primary, while the 2nd District sees several Democrats, including state senator Joe Baldacci and state auditor Matt Dunlap, competing for the nomination.