A fresh Fox News survey released Tuesday puts Republican Senator Susan Collins ahead of Democratic challenger Graham Platner by a narrow 3 percentage points in Maine's closely watched Senate contest. The poll shows Collins drawing 50 percent support among registered voters, while Platner trails at 47 percent.
However, the race tightens when factoring in voter enthusiasm. Among the two-thirds of respondents who described themselves as “extremely” motivated to cast a ballot, Platner leads by 9 points, 53 percent to 44 percent. That enthusiasm gap could prove pivotal in a race already drawing national attention and heavy spending.
Maine voters harbor reservations about both candidates, according to the survey. More than half say Platner lacks the judgment needed for the Senate, while a similar share believes Collins has been in office too long. Collins first won her seat in 1996 and has carved out a reputation as a moderate Republican, recently joining a bipartisan coalition to advance a war powers resolution aimed at limiting U.S. military involvement in Iran.
Platner’s campaign has been dogged by controversy. Old social media posts containing offensive comments about Black people and sexual assault resurfaced, and questions have arisen about a tattoo and allegations of “toxic” behavior. Platner has apologized for and deleted the Reddit posts but denies physically intimidating or assaulting former romantic partners. These issues have prompted soul-searching among Maine Democrats, as the party grapples with the fallout.
The poll reveals clear demographic divides. Platner holds an edge among women, college graduates, suburbanites, and moderates. Collins, by contrast, draws stronger support from men, voters without a college degree, gun-owning households, and rural residents.
Other recent surveys, including those from The New York Times and the University of Massachusetts, have shown Platner with a slight lead over Collins. The Fox News poll, conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research from June 23-27, surveyed 1,003 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The race remains one of the most competitive Senate contests this cycle, with both parties pouring resources into Maine. The GOP has significantly outspent Democrats in the state, a dynamic that Platner’s campaign has highlighted as a sign of the incumbent’s vulnerability. Meanwhile, Collins’s moderate brand and long tenure are being tested by a Democratic opponent who, despite his baggage, has energized the party’s base.
