Embattled Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner faces further problems after Republicans announced they were pouring $3 million into incumbent Sen. Susan Collins’s (R-ME) reelection campaign.Republican-aligned PAC One Nation announced the new investment after a flurry of negative attention directed against Platner, as more scandals continue to pile up. It also launched a new ad campaign intended to cast light on Collins’s accomplishments, especially vis-à-vis investments in Maine and help for veterans.“One Nation thanks Senator Collins for her steady leadership, dependable service, and strong character and encourages Mainers to call Senator Collins to urge her to continue delivering policy wins for the state,” One Nation Communications Director Chris Gustafson said in a statement.
Thursday brought other bad news for Platner: A June 1-3 poll from Fabrizio, Lee & Associates for Collins-aligned Pine Tree Results PAC found Platner’s public image had plummeted, with respondents expressing an unfavorable view of the candidate nearly doubling.
In January, 35% of those polled said they had a favorable view of Platner, a total that increased to 40% in June as the race heated up. As for those who reported an unfavorable view of Platner, that total was 29% in January, but skyrocketed to 49% in June.
