Maine oyster farmer wants to upend Democratic politics with Senate bid [View all]

Source: politico




Graham Platner wants to oust Sen. Susan Collins — and disrupt national Dems’ plans to unite around Gov. Janet Mills.

By Holly Otterbein08/19/2025 05:00 AM EDT

A little-known oyster farmer is looking to upend top Democrats’ plans in Maine.

Democrat Graham Platner, the 40-year-old owner of Waukeag Neck Oyster Co. and an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran, announced Tuesday he is mounting a challenge to Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner has never run for office, and his campaign threatens to disrupt national Democrats’ efforts to recruit and unite around Gov. Janet Mills.

“I’m not fooled by this fake charade of Collins’ deliberations and moderation,” he said in a campaign kickoff video. “The difference between Susan Collins and Ted Cruz is at least Ted Cruz is honest about selling us out and not giving a damn.”

Platner is running on several progressive tenets — though he rejects the label “liberal” — and his announcement sets up the possibility of a clash between Democratic Party factions over generational change, Israel and other issues. In an interview with POLITICO, Platner said he would not support Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader if Democrats managed to take back control in the 2026 midterm elections....................

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/19/graham-platner-maine-senate-campaign-launch-00513884

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Bring it on oyster farmer--competition is good for all.

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Democrat Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, is mounting a challenge to Republican Sen. Susan Collins. | Graham for Maine