Platner Has Slim Lead Over Collins in Maine

A new poll out of Maine has good news and bad news for the controversial Graham Platner: On the one hand, he holds a slim lead over Susan Collins. On the other, Maine voters appear to want a Democratic Senate more than they want Platner himself. Details:

• The New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll shows Platner with a 49% to 47% edge over Republican Sen. Susan Collins—though that lead is well within the survey's margin of error of about 5 points.
• Fifty-four percent of likely voters say they'd prefer Democrats in charge of the Senate, notably lower than the percentage backing Platner.

• Each candidate is viewed unfavorably by about 50% of voters. Collins has a favorability rating of 48%, ahead of Platner's 45%.
• Platner, a 41-year-old oysterman who ran as a populist outsider, has been dogged by controversies over offensive online posts from a while back, a since-removed tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and allegations of troubling behavior toward women. Platner, meanwhile, has hammered Collins over her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Independents also worry she will be too supportive of President Trump.