Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
55.4%
31.4%
Maine Democratic Senate nominee on Jul 31, 2026?
$4.2M
JUL 31, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOyster farmer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age41 years old (Sep 1, 1984)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationMaine
BackgroundOyster farmer
EducationThe George Washington University (attendance; used GI Bill; later withdrew)
Notable personal detailsGraham Cunningham Platner is a Maine oyster farmer, Marine Corps and U.S. Army veteran, and Democratic politician who ran for U.S. Senate in Maine in the 2026 cycle. He filed as a Democratic challenger for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat with the Federal Election Commission and operated an authorized principal campaign committee, Graham for Maine. He has also served in local government as chair of the Sullivan Planning Board.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govgrahamforsenate.comen.wikipedia.orgapnews.comtheweek.comaxios.comdocquery.fec.govthemidtermproject.orgpolitifact.comwhoisfundingsusan.orgwashingtonpost.comcongress.govmainepublic.org21701012.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.netabcnews.comipsos.comd3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.netwmtw.comtheguardian.comcommondreams.orgpressherald.comthemainewire.comfoxnews.comthenation.comnbcnewyork.combangordailynews.combearingarms.comwashingtonreporter.newspeoplestribune.orgnewyorker.compolitico.compbs.orgthehill.comnytimes.comwbur.orgballotpedia.orgmainemorningstar.combostonglobe.comthemainemonitor.orgfairvote.orgprospect.orgtime.comyoutube.comfacebook.comsenate.govdgraham.senate.govgovinfo.govcollins.senate.govballotready.orggottheimer.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgbanks.senate.govwikidata.orgdurbin.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports substantially higher taxes on wealthy individuals and billionaires (including a ‘billionaire minimum tax’ and ‘tax the rich’ proposals) to fund expanded public programs such as universal healthcare and stronger social supports. Advocates dismantling what he calls a ‘billionaire economy’ in favor of an economy that prioritizes workers, small businesses, and public goods.
Healthcare
The candidate supports Medicare for All and calls healthcare a basic human right. He pledges to move away from the for‑profit insurance system, fund rural hospitals, expand Medicare/Medicaid, and empower the government to negotiate prescription drug prices.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports a path to citizenship and opposes mass deportations and ICE operations in communities while also saying the country needs strong border security. Calls for ending what he calls the “mass deportation machine,” organizing resistance to ICE actions, and seeking immigration reform paired with border measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Public reporting shows mixed signals on Platner’s stance. Some news coverage describes him as defending abortion rights, while other pieces quote him expressing uncertainty about whether abortion is murder or healthcare, and his campaign site does not provide a clear, detailed policy statement on reproductive rights.
Climate & Energy
Supports urgent action on climate change, strengthening the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and federal investment to protect Maine’s environment and create good union jobs tied to clean energy and waterfront resilience.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate identifies as a lifelong gun owner who supports targeted gun-safety measures while respecting lawful gun ownership. He has expressed conditional support for red flag laws and did not endorse a ban on semi-automatic/assault-style weapons, saying such bans focus on aesthetics over function. He has described the three-day waiting period enacted in Maine as potentially excessive personally but said he would not oppose it if passed by the legislature.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Graham Platner is getting new attention in Maine’s 2026 U.S. Senate race after recent polls showed him leading Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary and running slightly ahead of Sen. Susan Collins in a potential general election matchup. The primary is also exposing a party split, with major labor unions urging Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer to stop backing Mills and instead support Platner. The contest is becoming increasingly high-stakes and expensive, with ad spending in the race topping $78 million and Platner reporting millions spent on ads.
fec.gov+53
Articles
NNewsweek5 months ago
Susan Collins Chances of Losing to Democrats in Maine Senate Race-New Poll
Positive
BDBangor Daily News5 months ago
3 lessons from the barrage of early TV ads in Maine’s US Senate race
Neutral
NNewsweek5 months ago
Graham Platner vs. Janet Mills Chances Against Susan Collins in Maine-Polls
Positive
PPPortland Press Herald5 months ago
Union leaders tell Schumer to stop backing Janet Mills over Graham Platner
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Maine Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Graham Platner for Maine Democratic Senate nominee?
Bernie Sanders
Public figure
Bernie Sanders endorsed Graham Platner in the U.S. Senate race in Maine.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Political organization
Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine.
LCV Action Fund
Political organization
LCV Action Fund endorsed Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine.
Maine Service Employees Association
Advocacy group
Maine Service Employees Association endorsed Graham Platner in the U.S. Senate race.
Indivisible
Public endorsement
Indivisible endorsed Graham Platner in the Maine Democratic Senate primary.
Working Families Party
Public figure
Working Families Party endorsed Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race.
Elizabeth Warren
Public figure
Elizabeth Warren endorsed Graham Platner in Maine's Senate race.
Maine People's Alliance
Advocacy group
Maine People's Alliance endorsed Graham Platner to face Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate race.
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Political organization
Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed Graham Platner.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$21.1M
$15.8M
$10.5M
$5.3M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$21.1M
$1.8M
$19.3M
$1.1M
Source: FEC