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Maine Senate primary test
In Maine, Graham Platner is seeking the Democratic Senate nomination in Tuesday’s primary to face longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins, in a contest Democrats see as a must-win for Senate control in November.
“Four states are set to hold their primary votes, further solidifying the battle lines for the United States midterm elections in November”
PBS reports Platner’s path to the nomination grew easier in late April when Democratic Gov. Janet Mills dropped out citing a lack of money, though her name still appears on the primary ballot because she suspended her campaign late in the race.
PBS also says Platner, 41, is a Marine veteran and oyster farmer who has focused his campaign on fighting the high costs he says hold down the middle class and said he got in the race to focus on income inequality.
The Guardian frames the race as a national fixation, saying Platner is set to advance as the Democratic nominee after his primary rival Mills suspended her campaign in April, with the likely matchup against Susan Collins.
Scandals split Democrats
Platner’s campaign has been dogged by controversies including sexually explicit text messages he reportedly sent to women while he was married, and the BBC notes that the primary race is closely watched as Democrats try to lock up the nomination despite the “series of scandals.”
CBS News reports Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna defended Platner while drawing a line, saying, "We should focus on acknowledging it was misogynistic, acknowledging it was wrong, moving on with redemption, and then focusing on his issues," as he urged Democrats to move forward.
CBS News also says Sen. Bernie Sanders told CBS News chief Washington analyst Robert Costa he will "do everything I can" to help Platner win, arguing, "to my mind right now, we need allies in the United States Senate who have the guts to take on the big money that is dominating this country."
The Guardian adds that Platner’s wife confirmed he sent sexually explicit messages to several women while married, and it quotes Ro Khanna describing Platner’s conduct as “misogynistic” and “toxic” while still rallying with the candidate on Friday.
What’s at stake in November
Beyond the Senate contest, NPR says Tuesday’s primary winners will set up crucial November races, with Maine’s Senate outcome described as pivotal for Democrats seeking control of the U.S. Senate come November.
“Maine's Senate race and much more”
NPR reports that if Democrats want control of the U.S. Senate, they almost certainly need to take five-term Republican Sen. Collins’ seat in Maine, and it notes that Platner’s barnstorming campaign pushed Gov. Janet Mills out of the race.
Al Jazeera frames the stakes as control of Congress, saying at stake in November is control of Congress and that Democrats hope to wrest back control in what would represent a major rebuke to President Donald Trump.
Al Jazeera also says the primary vote on Tuesday is widely expected to result in Platner advancing as the Democratic champion for November’s midterms, where he would take on the longtime incumbent Republican Senator Collins.
