All these people chiming in who know nothng about Maine. We also have a Mexico, a Norway, New Sweden, Denmark, Peru, Poland, Rome etc. etc. etc. Travel the world without ever leaving Maine!

If you accept that hundreds of thousands of voters are "horrible horrible horrible" because they don't share your (truly misinformed) opinion, then it's much more a reflection of you than Mainers.

This is misinfo. You don't know Maine at all. We are a small media tv and radio market, $190K is a lot. 40% or more of the vote will be absentee in the month before election day. There are no ads for Mills because she is so far behind groups like Emily's List who have endorsed her won't waste $$$s.

I wish this take was true. Polling is garbage in Maine. Collins never led in one poll in 2020 over the whole cycle. She won by 9. The latest polls last fall on the referenda were each off by 20 points. BUT at least they were undercounting progressive votes this time. No one here trusts polls.

"wrong" choice. Maine voter here. That comment is everything hated about elites. You don't live here and are disrespectful of those who do. I don't see your view as "wrong" if it is different than mine. Mainers will be fine without your refined and superior judgment. Get along now.

This is true, thank you. I appreciate you not doing anything to help Collins. Also, I had not realized you are the only certified write-in candidate. I can certainly see you being given a spot at the debates, especially since Mills is vacating hers in the first couple.

Angus King was an independent, not a write-in candidate. It's not that hard to get on the Maine ballot—2000 signatures. Plus Angus was well-known as a local PBS host and was able to self-fund (wealthy). Not similar in any way.

How in the world can the media normalize this? He is insane.

I would say it is right. All you need to do to be a certified write-in candidate is to fill out and file a form. Dozens of write-in candidates could easily file the form and qualify to be on that stage. It would render the debates a meaningless circus. Being on the ballot is a fair minimum.

I was excited about your candidacy, and sad that you didn't make the ballot. I hope you will consider running for local office next year, and perhaps Angus King's seat when it opens up in a few years. You have a great platform and background, but need to be on the ballot to get the votes you need.

Reinforces the rural beef that city elites think they are so much smarter than us ignorant hicks from the sticks. They are so deep in their own bubble they don't even realize how condescending they are. Good people can disagree on the senate race in thoughtful ways, but this stuff is toxic.

Platner was 23 at the time of that article. It's absurd that these critics say this represents who Platner is 2 decades later. Stancil, like Gaba, is such a disappointment. Why don't they stay in their lanes instead of declaring themselves experts on Maine politics? Character assassination as sport.

Mainer here, great thread. I'd only add Mills didn't just clash with labor. She has vetoed dozens of bills including Native and farmworkers' rights, a wealth tax, drug price caps, & red flag laws. She's deeply unpopular with all core Dem groups. Opposite of Cooper's vetoes to support a Dem agenda.

Ellsworth No Kings

Woohoo! I have family in York I hope attended, haven't heard from them yet. Each one of these I attend is better organized, more focused, and more fun. So impressive on the part of the organizers.

Big Lebowski energy!

What #NoKings did you attend? Just back from a huge crowd in Ellsworth. So happy there are over 50 rallies just in Maine!

Haha. I was only invited because I donated to her years ago. These carefully controlled events with supporters will in no way toughen her up for a debate with Platner and Costello.

Elect a Rapist Expect to Get Fucked and Lick Pussy Not Boots

Stop ruining everything!

It's Time to Invoke the 25th Dump 47 Maine License Plate He Just Ain't Right

View of Large No Kings crowd in Ellsworth Maine

Tremendous No Kings crowd in Ellsworth, Maine! Cold, loud, and proud! #NoKings

She is still doing some donor private events—she has one in Bar Harbor tonight. But you only get an invite if you've donated to her before, and you can only come if you donate to her now. Address not given out till just before the event to keep the public away.

So ugly and unhinged. I was an admirer going back the Daily Kos days. I always saw him as an honest data broker in the past. Now months of hysterical posts not just about Platner, but about anyone in Maine supporting him. His views are so divorced from Maine reality on the ground.

He was the Democratic candidate when Angus won in a landslide two years ago. He's been introduced!

ME2 voter. I and all my female friends voted for Mills twice. This time at least 2/3rds have abandoned her for Platner. A stupid post 13 years ago means less to us than the pocket veto of the rape kit bill, dragging her feet for months on the abortions rights bill, denying tribal and labor rights.

Maine resident here. The answer is absolutely nothing in his rhetoric or many posts point to Nazi or white supremacist beliefs. Quite the contrary. That's why the constant social media claims he (and his supporters) are Nazis aren't landing here. The hysteria from out of state is unreal.

Living in Maine, I'd say it's because Mills and Collins are perceived as similar "moderates." Except one is older and would have no seniority, which is why to those voters Collins is a better choice. Those who pay attention to politics know Collins is no moderate, but lots of voters don't.

She is not on the ballot, so she's not a long shot, she's a nonstarter who is raising money off gullible Blueskyers. There is an alternative to Mills or Platner. It is David Costello. He was the Dem nominee who lost to Angus King two years ago. He has a solid background and policies.

It seems important to disclose that you are not on the ballot—you did not make the filing deadline for signatures. There will be three candidates on the ballot for the Maine Senate Democrat primary—David Costello, Janet Mills, and Graham Platner.

There were maybe 30 people there, almost all over 60? She definitely could have made herself look good and gained support from the crowd by promising to run a clean, positive campaign. That's what the first speaker did (candidate for House), and he was warmly received.

I was there. No preorganization. Typical county party meeting—any random person could stand up and question or comment, many did. Low turnout. This isn't some big Platner plot/ganging up on Mills. She did have plenty of prepared talking points.

Add in that the polling is always terrible in Maine (Gideon led in every single poll before the last election, Collins won by 9). There is no good way to read this electorate. On the ground, there is far more enthusiasm for Platner judging by events/yard signs, for what it's worth (not much).

If you are in Maine, the only way to discover the stealth appearances is to sign up for email alerts from your county Democratic committee (or the counties in your local vicinity). Even then, she is facing tough crowds, no matter how small.