With some of the polling, er, "mishaps" in both the Wisconsin Democrat gubernatorial and the Michigan Senate primary races, many are choosing to take the numbers with a grain of salt going forward as we prepare to head into the fall months, which is, incidentally, when things heat up - and the October surprises, if there are any, get dropped.
With that in mind, we turn to the Maine Senate race, where the polling so far has been limited since disgraced former Democrat nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign in mid-July. His replacement, ex-state senate president Troy Jackson, has polled slightly ahead of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), but in all but one poll, the "lead" was well within the margin of error.
Jackson, as RedState readers may recall, had been a gubernatorial candidate but finished third in the primary. Platner - who voted for Jackson in the governor's race - reportedly wanted a say in who his replacement would be as a drop-out condition, and ultimately, the Democrat delegates at the Maine nominating convention picked Jackson.
READ MORE: Troy Jackson Picked to Replace Platner at Maine Democrat Convention - but He May Have More Issues
Because there's still some bad blood simmering among Maine Democrats over Platner dropping out, Jackson has made sure to assure voters in his party that he and Platner are "closely aligned." He did it again on Saturday during a campaign stop in Belfast, Maine:
Far-Left Maine Senate Candidate Troy Jackson says he and accused rapist Graham Platner "were pretty aligned":
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 22, 2026
"Me and Graham were pretty aligned on our policies. I believe Medicare for all...I've been fighting for that forever." pic.twitter.com/Rhlm64j2lD
He went further this time, though, noting he wished Platner was still in the race:
Maine Senate Candidate Troy Jackson —who was handpicked to replace accused rapist Graham Platner — says he wishes Platner was still in the race:
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 22, 2026
"I wish things would have continued, it would have been much better." pic.twitter.com/imU7TfC0Xj
I know Jackson is trying to keep the Platner devotees placated, but I have to think this rhetoric won't help with the disaffected Democrats who were disillusioned by the Platner campaign, not to mention the independent voters who are still trying to make up their minds. The more Jackson mentions Platner, the more often voters in the state are going to look back on what happened not only in disgust, but also disappointment because Jackson wasn't chosen by a majority of Democrats who voted in the primary. He was picked by delegates at the convention.
Further, I'm not so sure I'd be bragging so much about being a lot like Graham Platner, considering not only the polarizing nature of the Platner campaign and the scandals surrounding it but also because Jackson has a Platneresque scandal of his own involving a woman now in the minds of voters, as we previously reported.
DIVE DEEPER: 'Platner Vibes': Major Scandal Hits New Maine Dem Senate Nominee, and It All Sounds So Familiar
This follows reports that he once got so angry in a legislative meeting that he threw a water bottle and hit a female legislator.
— Matt Whitlock (@MattWhitlock) August 13, 2026
Can Maine Democrats find a candidate who DOESN’T have a history of violently abusing women? https://t.co/2098T2wP2g
It's interesting when you think about how often Democrats talk about "toxic masculinity" and yet their original nominee and now their new nominee in the Maine Senate race appear to fit the toxic masculinity bill.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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