A recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire indicates that Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner holds a 9-point lead over Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine. Platner has 51% support among likely voters, while Collins has 42%. The poll, which was conducted from May 21 to May 25, shows that 6% of respondents are undecided and 2% support other candidates.
Platner, who is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, is considered the presumptive Democratic nominee following the suspension of Governor Janet Mills' campaign. In the poll, Platner has 76% support for the Democratic nomination, with Mills at 10% and David Costello at 3%. Collins faces no challengers for the Republican nomination.
The survey also reveals that 91% of Democrats support Platner, while 87% of Republicans back Collins. Collins has a slight edge among independents, leading Platner 47% to 44%. The poll results come as Platner faces scrutiny over past comments and a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, which he has since covered up. Collins has criticized Platner as being too extreme for Maine, while Platner has countered that Collins has supported policies favoring corporations over working people. Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss has also expressed concerns about Platner's past comments and tattoo, stating they are disqualifying.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.