Graham Platner leads Susan Collins by 9 points in Maine Senate race: Poll

Graham Platner holds a 9-percentage-point lead over Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in a hypothetical general election matchup for Maine’s Senate seat, according to new polling.

The Pine Tree State Poll from the University of New Hampshire found that 51% of likely general election voters say they would support Platner “if the election were held today,” compared with 42% for Collins. Two percent said they would back another candidate, while 6% remain undecided.

The survey indicates little change in the race since February, before former Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) exited the contest. Despite dropping out, Mills is still expected to appear on the June 9 Democratic primary ballot and could still receive support in that contest.

Collins has held her Senate seat for nearly three decades after taking office in 1997.

Platner, a Democratic populist running with backing from progressive figures including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ),