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What to watch in Tuesday's primaries as Graham Platner tries to clinch Senate nomination in Maine – The Virginian-Pilot

Platner won the Democratic Senate nomination and addressed campaign controversies in his election-night speech.

What to watch in Tuesday's primaries as Graham Platner tries to clinch Senate nomination in Maine – The Virginian-Pilot
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Jun 9, 2026
tl;dr

Graham Platner won the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine, while the article examined the controversies he faces before a potential race against Sen. Susan Collins. Tuesday’s primaries also produced contests and results in several other states.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
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NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Platner in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Platner’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Democratic Senate nominee in Maine

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsements shaped several primary contests

Trump's version of this story ↗

Representative who urged Platner to leave the ballot

Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Senator who won the Republican Senate nomination in South Carolina

Republican House candidate in Nevada's 2nd District

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican incumbent facing a potential general-election contest against Platner

Mark Lynch
R · SC

Republican Senate candidate who lost the South Carolina nomination contest

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator and Platner supporter

John Fetterman
D · PA · SEN

Senator who had urged Maine voters to support Mills

Retiring Republican representative who endorsed Settelmeyer

Jim Clyburn
D · SC-6

South Carolina representative who won his Democratic primary

Al Franken
Former U.S. Senator (D-MN)

Former senator referenced in connection with Smith's arrival in the Senate

Xavier Becerra
Former U.S. Representative (D-CA)

Democratic candidate for California governor

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Senator and Platner supporter

Maine governor and former Democratic Senate candidate

Republican House candidate in Nevada's 2nd District

Tina Smith
D · MN · SEN

Senator who endorsed Platner

ALSO MENTIONED  Alan Wilson, South Carolina attorney general and Republican gubernatorial candidate; Barack Obama, Former president referenced in a description of Jim Messina; Joe Lombardo, Nevada governor who endorsed Settelmeyer; Pamela Evette, South Carolina lieutenant governor and Republican gubernatorial candidate; Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for California governor

Part of a bigger story

28 OUTLETS
Graham Platner Wins Maine Democratic Senate Nomination

Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination, setting up a November general-election race against Susan Collins. Center outlets pair the result and Collins matchup with scrutiny of Platner’s past. Right-leaning outlets foreground allegations and often extend the focus to criticism of Platner and Democrats who support him.

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