Democrats' Maine Senate predicament stems from their own strategic missteps

The Democratic Party's strategic decision to back Governor Janet Mills as their preferred candidate for a key Senate seat in Maine has backfired, leaving them in a precarious position for the upcoming general election. By prioritizing Mills and sidelining 41-year-old challenger Graham Platner for months, party leaders inadvertently created the circumstances that now place them in a difficult fight.

Platner's decisive primary victory on Tuesday means the race against incumbent Republican Susan Collins will be a grueling test for Democrats. The party now faces the uncomfortable task of rallying behind Platner, whose campaign has been marred by numerous scandals. These include problematic online posts, a concealed tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, allegations of sexting outside his marriage, and past accusations of violent behavior, all of which he denies.

The situation presents a stark contrast for Democrats, who must now reconcile their support for Platner with their public condemnation of Republicans for overlooking Donald Trump's past indiscretions. Further complicating matters is the anticipation of extensive opposition research, which could sway Maine voters and cast doubt on Platner's viability against Collins, a senator seeking her sixth term.

Platner's rise is partly attributed to his unvarnished populist style, which initially seemed appealing to Democrats grappling with an identity crisis. However, the party's establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, ultimately threw their support behind Mills, leaving Platner less scrutinized than a typical candidate. This allowed his anti-establishment appeal to grow, particularly in a state where Trump has struggled in recent elections and voters express frustration with Collins' moderate stance on certain presidential priorities.

Following Mills' withdrawal from the race in April due to financial difficulties, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) shifted its support to Platner. After his primary win, Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand reaffirmed their backing, framing the election primarily as an opportunity to unseat Collins and regain Senate control, rather than a strong endorsement of Platner himself.

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Susan Collins has never met a war she didn’t like. She’s been supporting endless wars since I was a teenager, and I know, I had to fight in two of them.