Primary Results in Maine, Nevada and South Carolina
Voters in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina went to the polls on Tuesday marking the halfway point in the primary season. Twenty-five states have held primaries, although a handful still have run-offs, with 25 more to go. Here’s what happened in key races this week.
Maine Senate. Marine veteran Graham Platner won the Democratic primary after a tumultuous month that included reporting on his sexting with other women while married and accusations of disturbing behavior made by an ex-girlfriend. That Platner won the nomination isn’t a surprise; though Gov. Janet Mills remained on the ballot, she had suspended her campaign on April 30. But his margin of victory will be the first indicator of how much work he has to do to compile a winning coalition ahead of the general election against Sen. Susan Collins, the formidable incumbent seeking a sixth term. Tilt Republican.
Maine’s 2nd District. The Democratic primary is going to the ranked choice process. National Democratic strategists are pushing for state Sen. Joe Baldacci, brother of the former congressman and governor. He finished first, with 32 percent of the vote, but political operative Jordan Wood and state auditor Matt Dunlap were right behind him with 29 percent apiece. Social worker Paige Loud was further back with 10 percent. Former Gov. Paul LePage won the GOP primary unopposed and is the favorite in the general election. Likely Republican.
Maine Governor. The Democratic primary is moving to the…
