"It’s unsurprising that the contest to find a 2026 candidate to oppose Maine's Republican U.S. senator, Susan Collins, has aroused a lot of national interest among Democrats. She is, after all, the only GOP Senate incumbent running for reelection in a state carried by Kamala Harris last year (or so it appears; Collins is raising money but hasn't actually announced yet)."
"This week, Maine's term-limited governor, Janet Mills, announced her candidacy, setting the stage for a lively and potentially divisive 2026 Democratic Senate primary. The arguments over her bid reflect many of the disputes going on nationally among Democrats over the future of the party, particularly the contrasts many have drawn between Mills and her most prominent rival, the populist/progressive oyster farmer Graham Platner. (There are other Democratic candidates, notably former congressional staffer Jordan Wood, but Platner has the buzz, the endorsements, and growing financial support.)"
Maine Democrats face a competitive 2026 primary to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins, the only GOP Senate incumbent running for reelection in a state carried by Kamala Harris. Term-limited governor Janet Mills has entered the race, creating a potentially divisive contest. Mills aligns with party establishment figures while Graham Platner, a 40-year-old populist/progressive oyster farmer, has growing buzz, endorsements, and fundraising. Other Democratic hopefuls include Jordan Wood. The primary reflects broader national Democratic debates over generational leadership, the role of senior party figures, and establishment versus progressive strategies.
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