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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
David Smith in Blue Hill, Maine

Graham Platner shrugs off scandals to win Maine Democratic Senate primary

Side shot of Platner speaking in front of a US flag
The outcome sets up one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm elections. Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

Graham Platner, a Marine veteran, oyster farmer and progressive activist, has scaled a mountain of personal controversies to win the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine.

Platner won 72% of the vote, defeating the state governor, Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in April but remained on the ballot, and third-placed David Costello, based on early results reported by Reuters.

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