The Democratic campaign in Maine to replace Senator Susan Collins next November is a mess. Starting with a strong anti-Trump movement, rising criticism of the overall political system and even the Democratic party establishment, came an extraordinary selection of an oysterman, Graham Platner, as the new Senate candidate for the Democratic party in 2025.
Rise and Fall of Graham Platner
People in Maine are unique – extremely independent, very passionate, and proud of their folksy values and traditions. The process for choosing Platner was highly unusual. A key consultant, Morris Katz, 26, from the Democratic Socialists of America in New York screened several “everyman” candidates in Maine, searching for a scruffy, blue collar, outdoorsy masculine man and with economic populist politics to shake things up, and selected Platner. In his view, he would be the ideal candidate to connect with working class voters. GQ Magazine last October declared Platner as “the virile, earthy working man many male politicians wish they were”. But there was also very little serious vetting.
After a series of controversies, from a Nazi tattoo to inflammatory Reddit posts and finally credible accusations of sexual assault, Platner resigned his candidacy on July 8. While several well-known Democratic Senators and media had supported Platner, the last accusation of rape changed their minds. Platner’s indignant resignation video blamed the “corporate media system and the political establishment”. Many Mainers agreed, however, and now want the Democratic Party to concentrate just on Maine voters with no outside influence from Washington.
Huge Challenge – Finding the Right Candidate
Now the Democratic party has less than two weeks to reposition its brand for Maine voters and organize a grass-roots transparent process for the nominating convention on July 25. Notwithstanding this absurd time schedule and a complex, divergent block of Democratic voters, it is still essential to first diagnose and understand the most intense feelings of Maine voters. This should shape the candidate selection, what the Democratic brand should stand for and where/how to focus campaign efforts.
The politics in Maine is also a microcosm of the overall Democratic Party which has experienced a long-standing rift between the progressive and establishment wings in the Party. Most voters in this purple state want a big change, and Platner’s charismatic style and progressive vision certainly resonated with working-class voters, especially among women who were very upset at Susan Collins for her vote for Kavanaugh and abortion.
A key challenge will be to determine the enthusiasm, emotional intensity and influence of specific voter segments, and how well a candidate can connect with each. For example:
- Working class women – probably the biggest and most crucial, more progressive and emotional – they should be top priority
- Male voters – not as intense or active, more moderate, and not as likely to support a Democratic candidate, especially those with no college degree (nearly 60% said in a June poll they would support Collins).
- Younger, Gen Z voters – very progressive and frustrated, want to change the entire political system, but unlikely to support Collins
- Loyal Platner followers – will they come out to vote or make a statement against the Democratic Party by sitting home?
- Vulnerable Collins Supporters – the exasperation over Trump may persuade some followers to not vote at all.
The Maine Democratic Party hopes the deep-seated anger at Trump and the wealth inequities is strong enough to persuade these voter segments to merge and vote against Collins – 81% of Democrats are frustrated because they believe wealthy people don’t pay their fair share – Pew Research early 2026.
The Selection Process is Critical
Getting Mainers involved in an open, fair selection will be vital for regaining trust. Ignoring all out-of-state influence is a must too. Credibility will be crucial, requiring full transparency and clear, engaging communication. The key issue for the final selection should be the ability to connect emotionally, especially with working-class women. Brand promises that resonate with critical voter concerns will be essential – e.g. affordability, healthcare, fighting harder against Trump, power of billionaires, and now ICE because of the recent murder in Biddeford, will resonate best).
The rest of the country will scrutinize this Maine election and maybe the Democratic Party will eventually find its optimal brand identity. And maybe even Maine can convince the rest of the U.S. that long, drawn-out expensive campaigns and preventing the rich from buying politicians are not necessary (e.g. like in Europe).
