Poll: Graham Platner maintains lead over Susan Collins in Maine Senate race
Collins trails Platner in the latest poll as she seeks reelection to the Senate.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYBangor Daily News is an established regional newspaper with an identified reporter and original local political coverage. The article cites polling details and a named survey researcher, though the text does not describe the outlet’s corrections practices.
- Source type — Established local newspaper reporting on state politics.
- Author attribution — A named reporter is credited.
- Transparency — The poll sponsor, sample size, field dates and margin of error are identified.
- Editorial standards — The article presents attributed claims, but the text provides no direct evidence about correction practices.
The report provides polling details and quotes a named survey researcher, while also giving context about the candidates and the campaign. It offers limited methodological detail beyond sample size, field dates and margin of error, and does not include a response from Collins or her campaign.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The poll findings and background include information about both candidates, but the controversy-focused details concern Platner and Collins’s campaign does not respond in the article.
- Source diversity — The article includes poll data and an expert interpretation, but few direct campaign perspectives.
- Counterarguments presented — Platner’s denial and criticism of press coverage are reported; no direct response from Collins or her campaign appears.
- Omitted context — The account gives limited detail about the poll’s methodology and the campaigns’ responses.
- Loaded language — Most descriptions are attributed or factual rather than overtly judgmental.
The report uses mostly neutral language and attributes poll interpretations and allegations to their sources. It includes unfavorable context about both candidates without endorsing either side.
- Language tone — The writing is largely descriptive and attributes opinions to named sources.
- Framing — The report centers on poll results and provides context about both candidates.
- Source selection — It cites the poll and a named academic researcher, alongside campaign-related details.
A University of Massachusetts Lowell-YouGov poll gives Graham Platner a five-point lead over Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race, while also showing voters divided over Platner. The report places the poll against recent controversies surrounding his campaign.
The poll of 650 likely Maine voters, conducted May 13–26, found Platner leading Collins by five points, with 6% undecided and 2% supporting another candidate. It also found women more supportive of Platner, while Collins had a narrower lead among men. A UMass Lowell survey director described the race as highly contentious and said both candidates faced concerns.
The report notes that respondents were nearly evenly divided in their favorable and unfavorable views of Platner, while 36% viewed Collins favorably. It recounts recent attention to allegations about Platner’s past texts and older internet posts, along with his denials and criticism of press coverage. Janet Mills said she remains on the Democratic primary ballot after suspending active campaigning; David Costello is also seeking the nomination.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Collins in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Collins’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Republican U.S. senator and candidate for reelection in Maine
President of the United States
Democratic Senate candidate in Maine
U.S. Senate minority leader
Governor and former Democratic Senate candidate in Maine
Part of a bigger story
5 OUTLETS- ARTICLES
- 6
- OUTLETS
- 5
- AVG CRED
- 60
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