Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies

(The Center Square) – Democrat and oyster farmer Graham Platner continues to out-poll incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, despite mounting controversies about his treatment of women, fellow war veterans, and a now-covered tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol.

Platner became the presumptive Democratic nominee in April after Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race, citing lackluster fundraising.

As of Friday, the RealClear Polling average for a November match-up between Platner and Collins shows him 7.4% ahead of the five-term senator, whose moderate voting record has made her a prime target for Democrats hoping to tip the balance of power back in their favor.

Embraced by the party’s progressive wing, the Senate Majority PAC announced in late May that it plans to spend $31.4 million on TV ads backing Platner’s bid to unseat Collins. And the funding has remained, even amid a New York Times report that alleges Platner mistreated three former girlfriends.

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