Platner secures Maine Senate nomination as Mace eliminated in South Carolina

Graham Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, has won the Maine Democratic primary for the US Senate, setting up a high-stakes general election contest against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Platner secured the nomination following the withdrawal of Governor Janet Mills in April, who cited dismal polling and fundraising difficulties. With 42 percent of precincts reporting, Platner led Mills by approximately 72 percent to 20 percent, establishing a commanding position before the general election in November.

Platner’s campaign focused on the rising cost of living, housing affordability, and healthcare, drawing substantial funding and early endorsements from progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders. His victory has drawn support from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who expressed confidence in capturing the seat. Despite the strong primary performance, Platner faces scrutiny over past online posts, including remarks he has apologised for regarding rural communities and law enforcement, as well as a tattoo later identified as a Nazi symbol, which he stated he was unaware of the significance of at the time.

In South Carolina, Representative Nancy Mace was eliminated from the gubernatorial race after failing to secure a majority in the primary. Mace, who faced a strained relationship with President Donald Trump following her role in releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, did not advance to the June 23 run-off. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette finished first with 28.9 percent of the vote, while Attorney General Alan Wilson finished second with 26.2 percent, necessitating a runoff between the two candidates.

President Trump’s influence in the South Carolina Republican primary was evident in other contests. Trump-backed Senator Lindsey Graham avoided a run-off by capturing nearly 58 percent of the vote with 90 percent of votes counted. Graham had faced challenges from hard-right candidates, including Mark Lynch, whom Trump had previously criticised. Longtime Representative James Clyburn also secured his seat, easily fending off a primary challenger after Republican redistricting efforts to alter his majority-Black district were rejected by the state Senate.

Elsewhere, Marty O’Donnell, backed by Trump, won the Republican primary for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District with 42.4 percent of the vote. The Las Vegas-area seat is considered a key battleground that could influence control of the US House of Representatives. O’Donnell defeated a competitive field in a largely self-funded race, setting up a general election contest that is expected to draw significant national attention and campaign spending.