Marine Veteran Graham Platner Seeks Democratic Nomination for Maine Senate Seat

Graham Platner, a 41-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former Army infantryman, and oyster farmer, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat. He launched his campaign in 2025 and has received endorsements from U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ruben Gallego, as well as U.S. Rep.

Ro Khanna. Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her Democratic primary campaign on April 30 after trailing in polls and fundraising, leaving Platner as the leading candidate heading into the November general election.

Record and Criticisms Sen.

Platner stated that Collins’ long tenure has coincided with rising costs for education, health care, and housing in Maine. com. He added that Collins’ reported net worth of approximately $6.92 million, according to Quiver Quantitive, highlights a gap between her financial position and that of many constituents.

A Collins campaign spokesperson, Shawn Roderick, said the senator’s record includes strengthening rural health care, lowering costs, supporting small businesses, and maintaining Maine’s role in national defense.

24, Platner hosted a veterans town hall focused on opposition to prolonged military engagements and on improving veterans’ benefits after service. Representatives from Veterans For Responsible Leadership attended and announced their endorsement of his candidacy.

Scott Peoples, executive director of Veterans For Responsible Leadership and a former U.S. Army captain, said the group endorsed Platner because he demonstrates willingness to address the effects of extended deployments on service members. Platner said the town hall revealed shared post-service challenges among veterans from different eras, including access to Department of Veterans Affairs care in a state with a high per-capita veteran population.