Graham Platner, the oyster farmer and military combat veteran, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine on Tuesday, setting up a crucial midterm showdown against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The progressive candidate’s victory came despite weeks of controversies that threatened to derail his campaign. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, President Donald Trump’s endorsements proved decisive in both the gubernatorial and Senate GOP primaries, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette advancing to a runoff and Sen. Lindsey Graham avoiding one entirely.
The dual primary elections on June 9th highlighted the ongoing tensions within both major parties. While Maine Democrats rallied behind an outsider candidate facing personal scrutiny, South Carolina Republicans demonstrated their continued allegiance to Trump-backed candidates. These contests will play significant roles in determining control of the Senate as the midterm elections approach.
Progressive candidate overcomes turbulent campaign stretch
Platner’s path to the nomination was far from smooth. The candidate faced multiple controversies in recent weeks, including inflammatory online comments made on Reddit years ago, a chest tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, and allegations from ex-girlfriends regarding violent behavior and inappropriate conduct. A former high-level campaign staffer even penned an op-ed the day before the primary stating that Platner would not be good for Maine or the country.
Despite these challenges, Maine Democratic primary voters appeared to look past the controversies. Platner acknowledged the difficult period during a rally in Down East Maine, thanking supporters for standing by him. He framed the scrutiny as politically motivated attacks designed to undermine his populist message focused on working-class issues and corporate accountability.
The candidate received endorsements from prominent progressive figures, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with Rep. Ro Khanna. These endorsements helped solidify his support among left-leaning voters who prioritize economic populism over establishment politics.
Victory signals strength for progressive wing of Democratic Party
Platner’s win represents a significant boost for the progressive movement within the Democratic Party. The result came just one week after Iowa state Rep. John Turek, backed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, defeated a more progressive opponent in that state’s Democratic Senate primary. That race was viewed as a victory for the party establishment, making Platner’s Maine triumph particularly meaningful for the left.
Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Adam Green emphasized the broader implications of the result. He argued that the victory demonstrates voters’ appetite for candidates who challenge the political establishment and promote economic populist platforms. Green warned that Democratic Party leaders have underestimated the appeal of outsider politics and working-class economic messaging.
- Platner promotes economically populist agenda targeting corporate influences
- Victory viewed as proxy battle between establishment and progressive wings
- Candidate received key endorsements from Sanders, Warren, and Khanna
- Win follows establishment victory in Iowa Senate primary one week earlier
Trump endorsements deliver results in South Carolina primaries
President Trump’s influence over Republican primary voters was on full display in South Carolina. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who received Trump’s endorsement, finished first in a crowded gubernatorial primary field. She will now face Attorney General Alan Wilson in a June 23 runoff election to determine the GOP nominee. The winner will be heavily favored in the general election in the solidly Republican state.
Evette repeatedly highlighted Trump’s support throughout her campaign, and the president praised her as an “America First Patriot” and a “WINNER” in his endorsement announcement. In her primary night speech, she thanked the president and emphasized her credentials as a “Trump-endorsed businesswoman and conservative” ready to fight the radical left.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Trump ally, won a majority of votes in the GOP Senate primary, avoiding a runoff against five challengers. Graham faced opposition from conservative businessman Mark Lynch and others who criticized his support for military intervention in Iran. Despite some criticism from MAGA leaders, Graham’s campaign and allied groups spent nearly $20 million emphasizing Trump’s endorsement, which proved decisive.
President’s endorsement record shows mixed results
The South Carolina victories helped restore Trump’s endorsement winning streak after a setback in Iowa. Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Rep. Randy Feenstra in the race to succeed retiring Gov. Kim Reynolds came too late to secure victory. Feenstra was narrowly defeated by Zach Lahn, a businessman backed by political organizations aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement and Turning Point USA.
Over the past month, Trump’s endorsement power has been particularly strong in Republican primaries across multiple states. His preferred candidates successfully ousted incumbents in high-profile showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Texas. The South Carolina results demonstrated that when Trump engages early and campaigns actively for candidates, his influence remains substantial among GOP primary voters.
The president participated in a primary eve tele-rally with both Graham and Evette, providing last-minute momentum. All major contenders in the South Carolina gubernatorial primary had spent months highlighting their support for Trump and his agenda, hoping to earn his endorsement before he ultimately chose Evette.
General election matchups take shape for November
Platner now faces the formidable challenge of defeating Susan Collins, the longtime moderate Republican senator who has represented Maine since 1997. The race is considered one of a handful that will determine which party controls the Senate after the midterm elections. Collins has maintained popularity among independent voters, though her voting record has drawn criticism from progressives.
The matchup will test whether Platner’s economic populist message can overcome concerns about his personal controversies and appeal to the moderate voters who have traditionally supported Collins. The candidate emphasized during his victory speech that the campaign is “not about me at all” but rather “a movement about us, about the far too many working far too hard and struggling far too much.”
In South Carolina, the gubernatorial runoff between Evette and Wilson will determine who faces the Democratic nominee in November. Given the state’s strong Republican lean, the runoff winner will enter the general election as the overwhelming favorite. Graham, having secured the GOP Senate nomination outright, can now focus his resources on the general election campaign.
