Controversial Graham Platner overcomes allegations to seal Maine Democratic nomination for Senate race – US politics live

Graham Platner secured the Maine Democratic nomination for the Senate race on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, winning 72% of the vote despite facing infidelity and abuse allegations during his primary campaign. Progressives rallied behind Platner following his victory, which occurred on a day when primary elections were also held in Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina to determine candidates for the upcoming midterm elections. Platner, a Marine veteran, addressed the allegations by stating, "I’ve made mistakes in my life, mistakes I regret, that I live with, that I continue to learn from. I’m still far from perfect." He positioned himself as a senator for "the people who cannot afford to buy a senator." The primary results across the four states provided varied indications of the Republican and Democratic parties' trajectories. In parallel, Donald Trump continued to influence the Republican party, contributing to the defeat of a politician who had advocated for the declassification of the Jeffrey Epstein files.