Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9
Platner Leads Collins by 2 Points in Tight Maine Senate Race
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9

Platner Leads Collins by 2 Points in Tight Maine Senate Race

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9

Summary

  • Tavern Research’s June 5-8 poll put Democrat Graham Platner ahead of Sen. Susan Collins 46%-44%, the first independent survey taken after scrutiny of Platner’s personal history.
  • That result fits a narrow general-election picture: a Collins-aligned Fabrizio Lee poll found the race tied, while a Platner-backed Public Policy Polling survey showed him up 4 points.
  • Before the recent controversy, independent polls in April and May had Platner leading by 5 points or more, suggesting the race has stayed competitive rather than collapsing for Democrats.
  • Platner still appears headed for the nomination, leading the Democratic primary by 52 to 66 points after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign in late April.
  • Maine polling carries a major caveat for Democrats: Collins trailed in every poll in the final two months of 2020, then won reelection by nearly 9 points.

Insights

How does a system like ranked-choice voting impact a race with a controversial front-runner?
When polls have a history of being wrong, what hidden factors truly decide an election's outcome?
In today's politics, can a candidate's revealed personal flaws actually strengthen their connection with voters?