...
By Anna Commander
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A new Fox News poll suggests Republican Senator Susan Collins maintains a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Graham Platner in Maine's U.S. Senate race, but the survey also highlights a potentially encouraging sign for Democrats.
Collins leads Platner 50 percent to 47 percent among registered voters in Maine, underscoring what is expected to be one of the nation's most closely watched Senate contests.
A notable finding in the survey comes from the bloc of voters who say they are "extremely" motivated to cast a ballot. Among that group—which makes up roughly two-thirds of registered voters surveyed—Platner holds a 53 percent to 44 percent advantage over Collins, a 9-point lead.
Read More on Politics
Turnout among highly engaged voters often plays an important role in midterm elections, making the enthusiasm gap a key metric as both parties ramp up their campaigns ahead of the November general election.
Although voter motivation can shift significantly over the course of a campaign, the finding gives Democrats a potential opening if they can sustain enthusiasm and convert highly engaged supporters into actual votes.
Newsweek reached out to both Collins' office and Platner's campaign via email on Wednesday for comment.
...
What To Know
According to the poll, 38 percent say they are extremely concerned about Platner's judgment in serving as a United States senator, and 31 percent say they are extremely concerned that Collins' time in office has been too long.
Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll alongside Democrat Chris Anderson, said in the outlet's survey, "Along with North Carolina, Maine is the Democrats’ most obvious Senate target — a blue state with a restless electorate and a 30-year establishment Republican incumbent...How do you blow that? Maybe by nominating someone facing allegations of racism and dishonesty. This race could demonstrate whether partisan and populist loyalties trump all else."
Platner has faced mounting scrutiny recently amid allegations from some of his former romantic partners, reported previously by The New York Times.
One former girlfriend of Platner's, Lyndsey Fifield, alleged that Platner had engaged in physically threatening behavior during their relationship over a decade ago, claims that have sparked questions about the Democratic Senate candidate's past.
The Democratic candidate has also drawn criticism over a skull-and-crossbones tattoo resembling the Nazi-era Totenkopf symbol. Platner has said he got the tattoo while visiting Croatia many years ago, before learning of its connection to Hitler, and has since covered it.
The poll also shows that 53 percent of men back Collins compared to 43 percent who support Platner. Women prefer Platner to Collins, 51 percent to 46 percent.
The Fox News poll surveyed 1,003 Maine registered voters from June 23 to June 27, 2026, and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
Reacting to the poll, Grant Davis Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek on Wednesday, "That poll strikes me as about right. Remember that I predicted that if Platner advanced, Collins would win a close race. I think that motivation gap will shift more in her favor the longer the Platner baggage sits with the general electorate. He would have problems anywhere, but those problems are particularly not 'Maine-like,' despite the state’s shift to the Left.
"There is still a distinctive Maine culture that he no longer embodies. Most of the current extremely motivated voters are viewing this choice as 'anything is acceptable if it works against Trump and his Senate supporters.' But I think as the election nears, the rest of Maine will become more motivated to keep Platner from representing the state in the Senate. I think they would view it as an embarrassment, if nothing else," Reeher concluded.
What Other Polls Show
A New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll shows Platner with 49 percent of the potential vote compared to Collins' 47 percent. The poll surveyed 608 likely voters in Maine from June 19 to June 26, 2026, and has a margin of error of 4.8 percent.
A Quantus Insights poll this month shows Platner ahead by one point, at 46 percent, compared to Collins' 45 percent. The poll notes that 7 percent are undecided and 2 percent would support another candidate.
The poll surveyed 870 Maine likely voters from June 9 to June 11, 2026, and has a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
...
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gray R. Thomas
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines