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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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New polling this week found Democrat Graham Platner leading Republican Senator Susan Collins 48 percent to 39 percent among likely Maine voters, signaling a competitive midterm election as the veteran and oyster farmer also posted a commanding primary advantage over Governor Janet Mills.
The new poll from the Maine People’s Resource Center added to a series of recent surveys showing Platner ahead of Collins or within striking distance, as the state's June 9 primary draws closer.
Why It Matters
Collins, a five-term Republican and New England’s last GOP member of Congress, has long depended on crossover support in a state that has voted Democratic for president in recent cycles, making signs of sustained vulnerability significant for control of a closely divided Senate.
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Platner’s lead in multiple public surveys and his widening primary margin over Mills suggest Democrats may consolidate behind him quickly, potentially allowing an earlier pivot to a general election contest that will attract heavy national spending.
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What To Know
The Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC), which surveyed 1,168 likely voters from March 20–31, reported Platner at 48 percent, Collins at 39 percent, and 12 percent of voters undecided. The same poll put Platner ahead of Mills in the Democratic primary, 61 percent to 28 percent, a 33-point margin. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, and the poll was released April 7.
MPRC said its latest numbers represented a shift from October 2025, when its polling found a near tie in the primary and a narrower Platner edge over Collins.
Another poll carried out by Emerson at a similar time—March 21-23—among 1,075 likely voters found Platner with 48 percent of the vote, and Collins with 41 percent in a general election test. Separate results showed Mills with 46 percent and Collins with 43 percent.
Emerson also reported that a majority of voters held an unfavorable view of Collins and Mills, both serving in roles currently, while Platner’s favorability was roughly even. The pollster noted Platner’s six-point net favorable rating among independents compared with Collins’ 30-point net unfavorability among that group.
RealClearPolling’s general election average shows Platner at 47.6 percent and Collins at 40.0 percent, a Platner lead of 7.6 points.
What People Are Saying
Graham Platner, in a video shared to X Friday morning: "Susan Collins always wants to frame herself like she stands up to Donald Trump. But she doesn't, because her votes will only go against the Republican Party and Donald Trump when they know they have enough to pass it. When it comes down to her, when she's the real deciding vote, she will always vote the way that her party wants her to."
Senator Susan Collins, in a post on X about the White House's proposed budget April 3: "While the Administration proposes a budget, Congress holds the power of the purse. The Senate Appropriations Committee will now hold hearings with cabinet members and agency heads to review these recommendations and to explore other fiscally responsible proposals. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who too often worked over the last year to impede the appropriations process and shut down federal agencies, will abandon their harmful tactics and work with us to govern responsibly."
Governor Janet Mills, in an April 5 X post: "From my time as District Attorney, to my time as Attorney General, to now as Governor, where I've delivered real progress for our state, I have spent my life fighting for Maine people. I have a proven record of winning tough fights — I'm ready for this one."
What Happens Next
The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 9.
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