Democratic US Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall on June 7, 2026, in Portland, Maine. |  Laura Brett/Getty Images Graham Platner’s primary victory in Maine means Democrats officially have their candidate in a race that is pivotal for their hopes of retaking the Senate. But Platner isn’t a typical Democratic nominee. For reasons both personal and political, his candidacy has captivated national attention and become arguably the most-covered race happening this year.