By Eesha Pendharkar | Senior Reporter
“I think Graham Platner served really as a conduit for folks who are mad. I do think that is a genuine feeling and a genuine anger that a lot of people have, and it’s just misplaced thinking that Graham Platner was gonna solve it all,” independent voter Sophie Creamer said, rescinding her support for the U.S. Senate candidate.
Supporters of Graham Platner rallied in Blue Hill after the polls closed in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
By Emma Davis
Some Maine voters are hopeful the momentum Platner’s campaign generated can be carried into a possible replacement. Others are less optimistic, essentially making peace with another Collins term.
By Eesha Pendharkar
Democrats trying to replace Graham Platner will have to make key decisions on whom to choose as his replacement and how, as pressure builds on the U.S. Senate candidate to drop out after a sexual assault allegation against him.
By Eesha Pendharkar
The Maine Democratic Party accused U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign Tuesday of trying to influence the process for selecting a replacement nominee, as pressure mounts for him to leave the race.
By Kaitlyn Budion
The creator of the satirical @CatsOnACouch Instagram account is suing Vice President JD Vance and the U.S. Secret Service after she said she was barred from attending Vance’s visit to Bangor in May.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
With control of US Senate in play, national Dems rush to dump Maine’s Platner | Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
New ruling against mandatory detention is another blow to Trump immigration policy | Tim Henderson, Stateline
Thanks for reading Top of the Morning. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.