Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
55.4%
31.4%
2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$125.6M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOyster farmer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age41 years old (Sep 1, 1984)
GenderMale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundOyster farmer
EducationThe Hotchkiss School (attended)
Notable personal detailsGraham Cunningham Platner is an American oyster farmer and military veteran who is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine in the 2026 election cycle. He has worked as an oyster farmer and harbormaster in coastal Maine, and previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Maryland National Guard with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He attended George Washington University using the G.I. Bill after earlier military service and later worked as a State Department security contractor in Afghanistan before returning to Maine.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govgrahamforsenate.comen.wikipedia.orgmainepublic.orgwbur.orgnotus.orgaxios.comcentralmaine.combangordailynews.comwashingtonpost.comlemonde.frapnews.comthedailybeast.comru.wikipedia.orglegislature.maine.govtheweek.comwmtw.comtheguardian.comcommondreams.orgpressherald.comthemainewire.comfoxnews.comthenation.comnbcnewyork.combearingarms.comwashingtonreporter.newspeoplestribune.orgnewyorker.comvotesmart.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgballotready.orgsenate.govhistory.house.govking.senate.govdemocrats-science.house.govdocquery.fec.govm.wikidata.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgcollins.senate.govjudiciary.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.
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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 updatedJun 13, 2026
Graham Platner has just won the Maine Democratic Senate primary and is now the party’s nominee to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race expected to be one of the most important and expensive Senate contests of 2026. The campaign is already drawing heavy national attention, with both sides ramping up attacks and spending. Platner is also facing growing scrutiny over past conduct and a tattoo controversy, and some Democrats are divided over whether he should remain the nominee. Internal polling cited in reports shows him trailing Collins by a few points.
fec.gov+42
Articles
PPPortland Press Herald8 hours ago
Early signs point to a scorched-earth race for Maine’s US Senate seat
Negative
WEWashington Examiner9 hours ago
Democrats nominated Platner to ‘connect better' with men: Guy Benson
Negative
ZZeroHedge11 hours ago
Democrats Divided On Platner As GOP Reportedly Has Opposition Research That Will Destroy Him
Negative
PPPortland Press Herald16 hours ago
Nearly 100 billionaires and their spouses have donated to reelect Susan Collins
Neutral
Polls
Maine Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$16.3M
$12.2M
$8.2M
$4.1M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$16.3M
$2.2M
$14.1M
$831.3K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements