Maine votes as Graham Platner seeks Democratic Senate primary win amid controversy

Maine voters are casting ballots Tuesday in a Democratic Senate primary that has become a key early test in the race to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Graham Platner has emerged as the leading Democratic contender in the contest, even as his campaign has been shadowed by scrutiny over past texts, online comments and a tattoo associated with Nazi imagery.

Platner’s rise has made the primary one of the most closely watched Democratic races of the year. Major outlets have described him as the front-runner or presumptive nominee, while noting that the controversy around his past behavior has not knocked him out of contention.

Janet Mills suspended her campaign before the primary, leaving Platner as the dominant Democratic candidate in the race.

The outcome matters well beyond Maine. Democrats see the seat as one of their best opportunities to compete against Collins in a battleground state, making Tuesday’s vote an important marker for the party’s Senate map.

Vote counting is still underway, and ranked-choice tabulation could affect the final margin or the eventual result if the contest remains close.