{"id":985,"date":"2026-06-09T21:08:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T21:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=985"},"modified":"2026-06-09T21:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T21:08:18","slug":"why-graham-platners-margin-matters-in-the-maine-from-the-politics-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=985","title":{"rendered":"Why Graham Platner\u2019s margin matters in the Maine: From the Politics Desk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to <\/em>From the Politics Desk<\/em>, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team\u2019s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more Israelis order Tyre residents to evacuate ancient Lebanese city<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s yet another primary day, with voters in four states heading to the polls. Steve Kornacki zeroes in on Maine, where Graham Platner has faced a series of controversies heading into the Democratic Senate primary. Plus, Jane C. Timm digs into the unfounded election fraud claims that are flooding California. <\/em><\/p>\n

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Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Wollner<\/em><\/p>\n

Why Graham Platner\u2019s margin matters in the Maine Senate primary<\/h2>\n

Analysis by Steve Kornacki<\/h3>\n

Graham Platner<\/strong> will almost certainly win the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maine<\/strong> today. But will he do so convincingly?<\/p>\n

A resounding margin would allow Platner to argue that rank-and-file Democrats are squarely behind him even in the face of scandal, complicating any potential effort to replace him with a different general election nominee. <\/p>\n

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A weak showing, however, would only intensify concerns that some party leaders have been raising about Platner\u2019s viability against Republican Sen. Susan Collins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There are three names on the Democratic primary ballot: Platner, Gov. Janet Mills<\/strong> and David Costello<\/strong>, who ran as the party\u2019s nominee against independent Sen. Angus King<\/strong> in 2024. Andrea LaFlamme<\/strong>, a left-wing activist, is running as a write-in candidate. <\/p>\n

Presumably, the lion\u2019s share of the non-Platner vote will go to Mills, who suspended her campaign this spring when Platner pulled far ahead of her in polling. But as controversy rocked Platner campaign in the last week, Mills has pointedly reminded voters that her name is still on the ballot and that they are free to vote for her. <\/p>\n

Working in Platner\u2019s favor is that early voting began on May 11, more than two weeks before The Wall Street Journal reported on his history of sexually explicit text messaging with several women early in his marriage. It was another five days after that that The New York Times reported on behavior three of his ex-girlfriends described as \u201ctoxic\u201d and \u201cunsettling.\u201d <\/p>\n

By last Friday, the day the Times story was published, more than 30,000 Democrats had already cast ballots. Typically, about 25% of all Democratic primary votes in Maine are cast early. <\/p>\n

So Platner likely banked a lot of votes in the middle and late part of May, when he was the presumptive nominee. This could blunt at least some of the impact of any late movement away from him. It will be worth watching if there is a significant difference between how Platner fared among early voters and those who waited until Election Day to vote.<\/p>\n

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What would a bad showing for Platner be? A good gauge may be a University of New Hampshire poll conducted in mid-May, after Mills dropped out and before the recent round of Platner controversies erupted. In that poll, Platner was supported by 76% of likely Democratic primary voters. If his number lands there or above tonight, it\u2019s a good sign for him. But if it comes in under that, and especially if it comes in well under, then he may have even more trouble on his hands.<\/p>\n

Assuming Platner does win the primary, the next key date will be July 14. Under Maine law, a party\u2019s nominee can withdraw anytime before then and be replaced on the ballot.<\/p>\n

Earlier today, Steve answered reader questions about the midterms and more on a livestream for subscribers. <\/em>Subscribers can watch the video on demand here<\/em>.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f More primary day reading: <\/strong>In addition to Maine, South Carolina<\/strong>, Nevada<\/strong> and North Dakota<\/strong> are holding primaries today. Here\u2019s what to watch \u2192<\/p>\n

Read more Karmelo Anthony found guilty of murder in Texas high school stabbing<\/a><\/p>\n

For subscribers: California\u2019s slow vote count and Trump\u2019s unfounded fraud claims offer preview of November\u2019s midterms<\/h2>\n

By Jane C. Timm<\/h3>\n

A perfect storm of conditions in California<\/strong> has led to an increasingly loud chorus of unfounded voter fraud claims over the past week from President Donald Trump<\/strong> and his allies, alarming election experts who warn it could be a preview of what\u2019s to come in this fall\u2019s midterms.<\/p>\n

One week after polls closed in California\u2019s June 2 primaries, many of the state\u2019s counties have yet to report their full results. In the crowded governor\u2019s race, voters are still awaiting word on who will be Democrat Xavier Becerra<\/strong>\u2018s general election opponent.<\/p>\n

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And in the contest for Los Angeles mayor, NBC News projected last night that Councilwoman Nithya Raman<\/strong> will face incumbent and fellow Democrat Karen Bass<\/strong> in a November runoff. Raman had steadily made gains on and eventually passed former reality TV star Spencer Pratt<\/strong>, a registered Republican, in the vote count in the days since last Tuesday\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n

Keep reading \u2192<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trump says Iran shot down U.S. helicopter near Strait of Hormuz, vows response<\/h2>\n

By Chantal Da Silva, Courtney Kube, Mosheh Gains and Dennis Romero<\/h3>\n

Iran shot down an American military helicopter while it was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump<\/strong> said today, adding the United States would \u201crespond to this attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d the president wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had been briefed by the military on the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured,\u201d Trump said. \u201cNevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.\u201d <\/p>\n

Separately, a U.S. official said current indications were that the Apache was brought down by an Iranian drone. Earlier, U.S. Central Command said the two crew members were rescued by an unmanned boat \u2014 a first for American forces \u2014 after the aircraft went down off the coast of Oman.<\/p>\n

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Trump told \u201cMeet the Press\u201d in an interview that aired Sunday that he didn\u2019t consider troops in the region to be in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the best offense anyone\u2019s ever seen. So I don\u2019t consider it danger,\u201d Trump said, adding he didn\u2019t think he\u2019d be sending troops back to the U.S. because they may still be needed. \u201cBut I think we\u2019ll keep them there until such time as we have a completion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more \u2192<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f Today’s other top stories<\/h2>\n