What to watch in Tuesday's primaries as Platner seeks Senate nomination in Maine

By — Steve Peoples, Associated Press Steve Peoples, Associated Press By — Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-watch-in-tuesdays-primaries-as-platner-seeks-senate-nomination-in-maine Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What to watch in Tuesday's primaries as Platner seeks Senate nomination in Maine Politics Jun 9, 2026 12:24 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters across Maine, Nevada, South Carolina and North Dakota head to the polls Tuesday for another day of primary elections in America, but much of the political world will be focused on Maine's high-stakes U.S. Senate contest. The results are not in question. Neither Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins nor Democratic challenger Graham Platner faces serious opposition for their party's nomination. And yet Tuesday marks an especially significant moment for Platner, the embattled veteran and oyster farmer, who is fighting to rebuild his credibility in a campaign rocked by controversy. READ MORE: Platner seeks the Democratic Senate nomination to set up critical Maine race with Collins Elsewhere, President Donald Trump's clout within his party will be tested anew in states like South Carolina and Nevada, where he's endorsed his favored candidates. Democrats hope to build momentum in Nevada in their broader push to reclaim key governor's seats. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Powerful family ties will also be in the spotlight in Maine and South Carolina, where candidates with political pedigrees are running for office. Here's what we're watching Tuesday. Platner faces a big moment Platner sits at the very center of the Democratic Party's quest to reclaim the Senate majority this fall. So Democrats need him to take a significant step forward Tuesday, with the eyes of the nation watching, in the urgent task of rebuilding his credibility. LIVE RESULTS: Maine midterm primaries It was barely a week ago when revelations surfaced that Platner had engaged in sexually explicit messages with multiple women while married. Allies wondered if more baggage would emerge, and then The New York Times reported new allegations about his behavior during previous relationships. There is no doubt that Platner will win his party's Senate nomination Tuesday. His most serious opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in April after it became clear Platner was in a commanding position. That said, Mills is still technically on the ballot and some advocates have suggested voting for her as a way to protest Platner. More important, perhaps, will be Platner's public remarks Tuesday night. Friends and foes alike will be paying close attention to how he addresses the evolving questions about his past and whether he can refocus the race on Collins. Maine race will test Democrats