Maine Senate midterms to pit Collins against Platner after controversy-fueled primary run

Graham Platner and Susan Collins handily won their party nominations in Tuesday’s primary, setting up a marquee race with unique dynamics and major implications for control of the Senate.

It’s official: Republican Sen. Susan Collins will face Democrat Graham Platner this fall, NBC News projects, in what will be a marquee election in the fight for control of the Senate.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Collins and Platner both won their primaries Tuesday in a predictable result. Collins, first elected to the Senate in 1996, ran unopposed for renomination as she seeks a sixth six-year term.

And Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer running in his first political race, faced little Democratic competition as two-term Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign after she failed to gain traction. She still appeared on the primary ballot.