41-Year-Old Oyster Farmer Declares Primary Over; 78-Year-Old Governor Yet To RSVP

KEY POINTS

•Graham Platner told donors in a March 2026 memo he’s shifting focus to the general election despite two months left in the primary.
•Polling shows Platner leading 78-year-old Governor Janet Mills by up to 38 points, including surveys paid for by his own campaign.
•Mills responded with negative ads on Platner’s social media controversies, but Platner’s team claims these spots aren’t changing voter opinions.

Graham Platner, the 41-year-old oyster farmer slash political hopeful backed by Bernie Sanders, confidently told his donors two months before Maine's June 9 primary that he's basically already booked his victory party in the general election. His campaign manager, Ben Chin, flexed in a Thursday memo boasting polls showing Platner leading 78-year-old Governor Janet Mills by margins that read like election meme percentages — 27 to 38 points — one p.r. stunt paid for by Platner’s own campaign, naturally. Meanwhile, Mills responded with negative ads about Platner’s controversial social media rantings involving rape, which apparently didn’t budge the polling needle. Platner’s team is now targeting Republicans too, promising town halls in conservative areas and content aiming to charm independents and disillusioned GOP voters. Platner even promised to keep debating Mills, lest anyone worry he’s really checked out. All this while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer watches from NYC, and Susan Collins prepares for a general election stage.