Mainer here. I'm sick of pundits telling me how I should vote.

[mainer]

I live in a bright blue part of the state. I was a Janet Mills supporter. Then she dropped out and I turned to Platner. Now I'm told by the press, by my out-of-state Democratic friends, by all the genius politicos from outside Maine, that Maine Democrats are going to stay home and Collins is going to win.

Ya know what? No, we're not going to stay home. Every Democrat I know, men and women, whether they earlier supported Platner or not, is damn well going to show up to vote against Collins.

Stop telling us what we're going to do. We're Mainers. We do whatever we damn well please.

[leftstreet]

1. Just get Collins OUT

You go!

[BannonsLiver]

2. Don't listen to them. Problem solved.

[Skittles]

64. yes

imagine that

[UpInArms]

3. Thank you, mainer

all the pearl clutching is truly nauseating ...

Thank you for getting out the vote. THAT is the most important thing.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

4. Can't rec this enough, thanks! n/t

[Justice]

5. Love this so much.

[stopdiggin]

6. I hadn't heard (that Platner was going to tank the ticket). But I'm glad to hear it

has now been put to rest.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[Lochloosa]

7. I visited your state a few years ago. Spent 9 days there just riding around.

What a beautiful state and great people.

[dalton99a]

8. Kick

[mr715]

9. Thank you Mainer

[FHRRK1]

10. You do you

We have been going through the same in CA with the Governor. Less than a month ago there were numerous posts about Jungle Primary, we are going to have two Republicans on the ballot, blah, blah, blah. As of today it is much more likely that it will be two Dems. Will be shocked if two Rs get through.

It is very hard to understand local politics unless you have lived it, learned it.

[DemocracyForever]

22. Thanks for the reassurance

With so many candidates running and dividing the vote, I've been very woried that 2 rethugs might get the most votes. I trust California voters.

[Bumbles]

11. Another Mainer here.

I would probably vote for the devil to get rid of Susan Collins. Graham Platner's not the devil. He's a flawed human being, like the rest of us. Do I like some of his behavior? No. Will I vote for him? Yes! Anything to replace Susan who pledged to serve only two terms. She's long outstayed her welcome.

[DemocracyForever]

24. Collins put Kavanaugh on the SCOTUS

who then helped overturn Roe vs Wade. No one should ever forget this.

[Pinback]

41. Some moderate. (nt)

[ShazzieB]

81. I had forgotten this.

Thanks for the reminder!

[quakerboy]

12. Makes sense

Im really confused how anyone thinks that despite the fact nazi tattoo and the online posts didn't really even dent his campaign, some sexting is supposed to suddenly end him?

[DemocracyForever]

27. Hegseth has a Nazi tattoo

However the sexting certainly won't help Platner. I'm so disappointed that this has come up. This is such a crucial seat for dems. Collins needs to go. No doubt Collins will exploit the Platner sexting while she ignores Trump's abuse of women..

[Emile]

13. K & R

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. Ignore them

Vote for whoever you want.

[twodogsbarking]

15. Go Maine. Hang in. Have some ice cream.

[MineralMan]

16. Yes. I said as much, yesterday and was roundly scolded by some non-Mainers here.

Thanks for a reaction from someone who actually lives in the state!

[MineralMan]

28. Feh...

[stopdiggin]

71. If I recall, your post (yesterday) had to do with scolding non-resident posters

for wasting everyone's time by offering opinion - on the more recent Platner news, and candidacy.
And, yeah - you kinda' had that beat down coming.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[Ishoutandscream2]

72. Sure as hell did

Nt.

[MineralMan]

73. Whatever you say

is whatever you say. I do not care.

[orangecrush]

17. THANK YOU MAINER

[jmbar2]

18. Vote for whomever you think best

But if he turns out to be another Fetterman or Swallwell, all Dems stand to lose this badly needed seat.

[mainer]

21. He's not a Fetterman. And sexting is not the same thing as rape or adultery.

I can't believe how many people think that sending inappropriate text messages is equivalent to what Swallwell or Trump actually did to women.

[niyad]

29. People seem to be forgetting his rape apologist texts.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

61. Weird, huh?

Crickets....

[niyad]

70. Weird indeed.

[paleotn]

86. Question for you....

Are you exactly the same person that you were 25 years ago? Same everything? Or have you grown? Are there any texts in your background that don't reflect who you are today?

I'm 2 states over and don't have a dog in that fight, but in my mind, you can either get Machiavellian or get Susan Collins. Your choice. Which is it?

[paleotn]

87. See #86 below.

Many times in my life and career I've had to eat half a shit sandwich or the whole shit sandwich. No other choice. One or the other. Generally, I choose half. With the fate of the Republic on the line, this is no time to be a purist.

[EdmondDantes_]

36. I would argue his sexting was adultery. It wasn't physical, but I'd consider it cheating

[mainer]

48. And his wife forgave him for it.

Let's stay out of other peoples' marriages, shall we?

[Skittles]

56. at the very least it is extremely poor judgement

disgusting

[Soul_of_Wit]

58. Emotioinal cheating is not adultery

... and speech is not violence. The very concerned Sen. Collins must be shown the door.

[mainer]

67. Even Jimmy Carter said he "lusted in his heart" for other women

The pearl clutchers in our party would say that was disqualifying.

[niyad]

74. "speech is not violence"? You might want to talk to Domestic Violence

survivors some time.

[Soul_of_Wit]

84. What are we chatting about?

Redefining words in the dictionary? The fact that many emotional abusers turn violent? The fact that escaping emotional abuse is still valid? Seriously, what are we talking about?

[littlemissmartypants]

19. PREACH!!! ❤️🤍💙

[AZLD4Candidate]

20. The media is trying to suppress the vote so Collins wins. They are an unpaid PR firm for MAGAts and the Republicans.

Or they are tepid centrists that find the Democrats at fault over everything.

[DemocracyForever]

30. Media has been pro rethug since 2000

when they fawned over incompetent Bush while they trashed Al Gore at every turn.

[mvd]

39. Maybe even back further

The ‘80s I mean. I was a child, but I don’t remember them doing much critical of Reagan.

[DemocracyForever]

65. It was egregious in 2000

The only written record of just how pro W anti Gore the media was can be found in the archives of the online blog The Daily Howler.

[eShirl]

23. Plus, many of us have already voted.

Early voting began weeks ago.

[rogue emissary]

25. nice, are you voting for David Costello?

[DemocracyForever]

31. Thanks for this reassurance

You know Maine better than the out of state carpetbaggers and the pro rethug media

[Quiet Em]

32. It's a high stakes election

Governor, both House seats and Senate are on the ballot.

I can't imagine that any active Democrat is going to sit home.

I don't know who is pushing that but I wouldn't worry about it.

If anything the Republicans are probably crying because their bill to stop children from playing sports in school is off the ballot and they thought that was their "ballot candy" as one Maine rightwinger called it.

[surfered]

33. I agree and have only one request. If you see him, slap him upside the head and ask ...

…”What the hell were you thinking? It’s ok if you want to drive over a cliff, but not with us in the back seat!”

[mainer]

40. Haha yeah a lot of us want to do that

He's the naughty boy in the family, but he's our boy. And we think he'll do what needs to be done in the Senate.

[ShazzieB]

34. I believe you.

Last edited Tue Jun 2, 2026, 07:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I have posted before that this is Maine's call, not anyone else's, and I still stand by that. The uproar is getting ridiculous. The rest of us need to get our noses out of Maine's business and let you all do your job. I will be cheering you on from now through November. Go, Maine!

[democrank]

35. Kicking for Mainers

Stay strong!

[lame54]

37. Not from Maine but I like Janet Mills too...

she was one of the first to stand up to Trump this term
She said I will see you in court and she won
Not sure why she was dismissed in this election

[Bumbles]

45. Age.

[2naSalit]

47. She's still on the ballot...

She suspended, didn't end it entirely.

It's also ranked choice vote so it's anybody's guess as to who will win the primary. There are a few others running, all of them are more qualified than the guy will the tattoo.

Just have to wait until we're done counting votes.

[marcopolo63]

50. She suspended her campaign but

Janet Mills is still a candidate for US Senate on the ballot and she reminded people today that they can still vote for her in the June 9th primary. I believe Platner will still win the primary nomination, despite the sexting and all his other faux pas, but there are a lot Dems and Independents (unenrolled voters) who just are not progressive and don’t trust Platner or his message. I call them stick up there a _ _ es Democrats who think they know it all and will doom us to another Collins term in the senate because they’re afraid of change!

[duckworth969]

38. Here! Here!

Maines business, not somebody from Paducah.

[bsiebs]

42. He isnt perfect...no one is. But he is certainly better for the world than Susan Collins!

[NewLarry]

43. You take care of Maine

And I'll work on Ohio. Go Sherrod!!!

[Bluetus]

44. I'd bet that most of that is coming from AIPAC

Probably through 3rd parties they fund and instigate.

These days, I bet more than 75% of the money in our national politics (POTUS, Senate, House and maybe Governors) comes from hostile foreign actors and billionaires that have no allegiance to any country.

[Omnipresent]

46. Maine Democrats need to sweep out trump surrogates!

Collins needs to be retired!

[mainer]

49. This is what Platner's up agaist

Link to tweet

?s=20

[mr715]

54. The awful thing is I don't know if this hurts him in the general!!

Plenty of disengaged voters are fine with Nazis. This why is he's going to win. The misinformation war cuts into Susan Collins' base, not Democrats.

Democrats see through this shit.

Republicans see this shit and are like, "Cool, I like"

[Aviation Pro]

51. This

Sending money to Platner because of your comment. Well done.

[RockCreek]

52. Maine has ranked choice voting. Including for this Senate Primary race.

Last edited Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:42 PM - Edit history (1)

Mainers have been sensible enough to change to ranked choice.
There are 3 Democratic Primary candidates listed on the ballot.
Mainers can rank others in the primary above Platner, and express displeasure that way WITHOUT throwing the election to Collins.
Thank Maine for leading the way with ranked choice voting.

[pat_k]

53. You tell 'em!!

[Nanjeanne]

55. I like Chris Murphy's reponse to this - and wish more Ds responded as such

Murphy said he hadn’t followed the texting story as closely as others but said Platner was still the best opponent for incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

“Graham Platner is somebody who served our country, he’s served his community; he’s also made mistakes and he’s admitted that,” Murphy said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country. And this race is going to be a contrast between somebody who has put his life on the line for this country, against somebody who is literally empowering the moral hollowing-out of our nation from the White House,” the lawmaker added.


https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5903805-murphy-backs-platner-senate-race/]

[Emile]

59. President Murphy 2028

[Nanjeanne]

60. I'd def like him to enter and I would def like to hear his vision for the country.

[Scrivener7]

80. He has yet to say something I don't agree with.

I really hope he runs.

[CarolinaNC]

62. Same here, i follow me, not maga types.

so what, those people vote for a man like Trump.

[Keepthesoulalive]

63. The pundit class is gonna pundit

They get paid to stir up feces. Sometimes they swing elections which makes their masters very happy. Good luck getting rid of the concerned one , we deserve better as a country.

[Katinfl]

66. Love it! You are so right. Nobody knows Maine and who is good for it other than the people that live there.

[BComplex]

68. Graham Platner is part of the growing voice of the left(out) in the democratic party.

Those of us who, for decades, have had to suffer the milquetoast attitude of the non-fighting democrats who have moved further and further away from the party of FDR. Now we're getting a new generation of democrats running who mirror our more liberal attitudes...those of us who believe that more of the taxes we pay should go back to we, the people, and who aren't swayed into conservative democratic policies by name-calling (socialist, liberal extremist, etc).

I think Graham Platner, and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Mamdani in New York are leading the way for the future of our party to be ruled by the people, and not by the corporations, and I totally welcome them!

Thank you for donating to Graham Platner!! He's the perfect candidate to help Susan Collins into her long-overdue retirement.

[CincyDem]

69. You do you...

...with 12k+ posts here, I have a sneaky suspicion that you (and everyone within the sound of your voice) are going to be putting Collins in the Former Senator club.

[MaineNative]

75. You go Mainer!

This household and every one I know is voting for Graham. If you want a few good chuckles, look no further than the paper of record’s comment section, Portland Press Herald, under any Platner article. Heads are exploding.

[Buzz cook]

76. Pundit and the MSM

Are gate keepers. Their main job is to protect conventional wisdom.

[TBF]

77. I doubt I would like him, but as a Texan I sure agree w/you

We had a similar issue down here. Without going into details and pissing folks off, we collectively voted for the guy we thought could win. With the situation right now, with MAGA having lost their minds and putting an adjudicated sex offender in the presidency, we need to get republicans out in any way we can.

[dlilafae]

78. Go, ME!

You vote you. 🇺🇸

[ColoringFool]

79. There Is A Designated "Region" Forum To Discourage Non-Mainers.....

From opining on Maine-centric issues (for example).

I'm from PA, but I don't mind criticism of Fetterman from non-residents. I know that wouldn't include you; I'm just making a general observation.

[Bumbles]

82. "Sen. Collins earns failing grade in national pro-democracy scorecard"

Yet she is and allows herself to be erroneously called a moderate. How I wish Olympia Snowe had stayed on and Suzie Q had kept her promise of two terms. She well beyond her shelf life.

"Maine representatives' record of supporting pro-democracy measures

Rep. Chellie Pingree was the only member of Congress in Maine to support all 13 measures, according to a national Common Cause analysis.

Pingree was the only Maine leader to receive a perfect score, voting in favor of or co-sponsoring all 13 bills that Common Cause tracked for representatives. She was one of 117 lawmakers nationwide that received perfect scores.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who often does not vote along party lines, supported nine of the 13 measures. Sen. Angus King, and independent, supported 7 of 10 measures Common Cause tracked for senators while Collins, who supported none of the 10 measures in the Senate, was the only member of Congress in New England to score zero."

https://mainemorningstar.com/2024/09/09/sen-collins-earns-failing-grade-in-national-pro-democracy-scorecard/

[LisaM]

83. Is there some reason no one mentions David Costello?

I wasn't even awake there was a third candidate running till someone here brought him up a couple of weeks ago. He doesn't seem very separated from Platner on issues and has been in government already, yet he seems to be totally invisible.

https://mainemorningstar.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-democratic-primary/

[mainer]

85. What actual Mainers are saying

“Personal growth is not a disqualification from public life,” said Valerie Tate of Belfast, who noted that Platner's story of recovery from combat-related PTSD and associated issues reminded her of the “high-achieving, compassionate, hard-working people” she encountered during years in 12-step recovery programs.

“Graham and Amy have been doing the work," Tate said. "That is not a scandal. That is integrity.”

Eileen and Paul Morelli said they are more concerned with policy issues that will actually affect people’s lives. “None of us is married to Graham Platner; gossip is gossip, even if they put it in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal,” they wrote.

Joline Godfrey of St. George said friends email her questioning her judgment in supporting Platner every time there are new stories, but she said the stakes are too high to let Collins win again.

“She effectively helped kill Roe v. Wade,” Godfrey said, referring to Collins’ votes to confirm Supreme Court justices appointed by President Donald Trump who overturned the constitutional right to abortion. “I am voting for Graham Platner. A flawed, smart, passionate — pro-democracy, weirdly feminist — advocate for justice and equity."

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/news/will-the-latest-platner-scandal-stick-this-time/article_bfb048af-a354-4362-a43f-ae9d185c0791.html