Overview
- Sen. Susan Collins launched a $600,000, two‑week TV ad that touts her seniority and work to secure money to replace the collapsed Eastport Breakwater, marking her first general‑election spot.
- Collins disclosed she has a benign essential tremor that she says has lasted her entire Senate career and does not affect her ability to do the job, addressing rising scrutiny of her health.
- Graham Platner is the all‑but‑certain Democratic nominee after Gov. Janet Mills exited the race, running as a 41‑year‑old veteran and oysterman with progressive backing from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
- Republican allies of Collins are already airing attacks on Platner’s past Reddit comments about women and rape and on a chest tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol; Platner has apologized and says he covered the tattoo.
- Collins reports about $10 million on hand as outside groups line up on both sides, and earlier polling showed Platner competitive, setting up a nationally watched race that could shape control of the Senate.