A recent statewide poll highlights a potential shift in Maine’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, particularly showcasing Democratic contender Graham Platner performing exceptionally well against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
The survey from Quantus Insights offers a glimpse into the evolving political landscape as Democrats finalize their nominee. While Collins remains a formidable opponent against Democratic Governor Janet Mills, the dynamics change significantly when Platner is included in the comparisons.
In a direct contest between Collins and Mills, the numbers are exceedingly close, with Collins securing 44.6 percent and Mills at 43.0 percent.
Third-party candidates take up 5.6 percent of the vote, while another 5.6 percent remain undecided. Additionally, 1.1 percent indicated they would not vote. This reflects the longstanding political tendencies in Maine, where Collins maintains a strong Republican base and continues to resonate with independents and moderate Democrats.
A race between Collins and Mills would likely serve as a referendum on two well-established political figures known throughout the state. Collins has been in the Senate since 1997, winning reelection by appealing beyond just Republican voters.
Mills, who has been Maine’s governor since 2019, similarly boasts significant name recognition and a well-established political presence. Early polling indicates that neither candidate holds a clear advantage in this scenario.
NEW: Quantus Insights Maine Senate Race | March 9, 2026
General Election:
Collins vs Mills
🔴 Collins: 44.6%
🔵 Mills: 43%Collins vs Platner
🔵 Platner: 48.6%
🔴 Collins: 41.8%
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Democrat Primary
🔵Platner: 43.3%
🔵Mills: 38%
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Susan Collins… pic.twitter.com/FBE4sWmij9— Quantus Insights (@QuantusInsights) March 9, 2026
When considering a matchup between Collins and Graham Platner, the results vary significantly. Platner currently leads with 48.6 percent compared to Collins’ 41.8 percent support, while 5.9 percent are undecided, 2.9 percent back a third-party candidate, and 0.9 percent choose not to vote. Platner’s nearly seven-point lead suggests a coalition of support that could differ from that of Mills, attracting voters who may be more inclined to consider a fresh face in the Democratic lineup.
<p severa factors at play might contribute to this early advantage. With Platner enjoying lower name recognition than Mills, this can occasionally benefit a candidate, as voters might not yet have established strong opinions against them.
Furthermore, it appears that some voters who may hesitate to support the incumbent governor are more willing to back a new Democratic candidate. The sustainability of this lead as the election nears will depend on how candidates are framed in the coming months.
The Quantus Insights poll also explored the Democratic primary, revealing Platner with a slight edge over Mills among Democratic voters. Platner garners 43.3 percent support, whereas Mills trails with 38.0 percent, leaving 18.7 percent undecided. With a notable share of voters still undecided, the primary race can shift dramatically as campaigning progresses.
Platner has started gaining traction through visible campaign efforts, such as an anti-war protest near Collins’ office criticizing U.S. military involvement in Iran.
The Maine electorate appears notably divided, with a significant portion still undecided or open to alternative candidates. These insights suggest that the identity of the Democratic nominee may critically influence the upcoming general election.
With the Democratic primary still evolving and extensive campaigning ahead, the Quantus Insights poll offers only an initial understanding of a race that could change significantly before voters head to the polls in 2026.
