politics
Maine Dem Senate Candidate Graham Platner Advocates U.S.-China Climate Cooperation
Maine Democrat Graham Platner stated in a February livestream that the U.S. should pursue closer ties with China, emphasizing cooperation on issues like climate change over opposition. Platner, running to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, also criticized federal immigration officers and advocated abolishing ICE. He leads in polls ahead of the June 2026 Democratic primary against Gov. Janet Mills.
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U.S. should be far more cooperative with China on issues like climate change. Platner said it would be absurd to have an aggressive approach toward Beijing, citing its trade relationship with the United States.
Platner argued that fascism followed by climate change is the top two challenges facing the United States on the world stage.
He said during the livestream that before the rise of fascism, he would have said that the biggest global challenge is climate change. Fox News reported these statements from the livestream. Platner referred to federal immigration officers as armed thugs, accusing them of murdering American citizens, referencing two fatal shootings during an immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.
He has advocated for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Platner has also advocated for dragging ICE agents in front of Congress to testify about their work. Platner is running to unseat Sen.
Susan Collins, R-Maine, in November’s midterm elections. Collins is running for a sixth Senate term. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the Maine Senate contest as a toss-up. Platner is facing Maine Gov.
Janet Mills, D-Maine, in the Democratic Senate primary ahead of the June 2026 primary. Platner has carved out a dominant lead in recent polling ahead of the June 2026 primary. , is supporting Gov.
Sens. , have endorsed Graham Platner. Platner called for deposing Schumer as Democratic leader, weakening the filibuster to ease the passage of left-wing legislation, and adding seats to the Supreme Court in an interview with NBC News this week.
