A recent statewide poll, which also indicates a closely contested race for Maine's U.S. Senate seat, suggests that Democratic challenger Graham Platner's emphasis on his working-class credentials as an oyster farmer is not effectively reaching its intended audience.
According to a survey conducted by the New York Times, Portland Press Herald, and Siena, Platner currently trails the Republican incumbent, Senator Susan Collins, by a significant 21 points among registered voters who do not possess a four-year college degree. The poll, released Monday, shows Collins leading Platner 58% to 37% within this demographic.
Further analysis of the survey data reveals a stark contrast in support based on education and race. Platner holds a 37-point advantage among White college-educated voters, yet he lags 23 points behind Collins among White non-college-educated voters.
This represents a notable shift compared to the September 2020 New York Times/Siena poll, where Senator Collins led Democratic candidate Sara Gideon by a much narrower margin of 48% to 45% among White non-college-educated voters. That earlier race saw Collins ultimately secure a victory by approximately nine points statewide.
Voter Perception and Campaign Messaging
Platner's apparent difficulty in garnering support from voters without a college degree has led some observers on social media to question the effectiveness of his messaging. Despite repeatedly vowing to combat "corporate greed" and challenge the "billionaire oligarchy," his portrayal as an oyster farmer from rural Maine appears to be falling short with blue-collar constituents.
"Graham is what a college educated person thinks a working-class person is supposed to act like and working-class people can see he's a fraud," commented Ryan Girdusky, founder of the 1776 Project PAC, on social media.
Journalist Melissa Braunstein echoed this sentiment, stating, "Blue collar voters can tell he’s not one of them."
Background and Controversies
Compounding the challenge of connecting with working-class voters is Platner's privileged personal history. His background includes attendance at exclusive private institutions, such as The Hotchkiss School, a boarding school in Lakeville, Connecticut, with an annual tuition of $75,000.
Platner has also faced scrutiny over various controversies throughout his career. These include allegations of infidelity, physical abuse involving a former girlfriend, the presence of a tattoo linked to Nazism, critical remarks regarding the military, and previously identifying himself as a "communist." These issues seem to have impacted voter perceptions, with only 44% of respondents in the poll indicating he possesses "good character," while 47% believe he is "too extreme" for the state.
Dynamics of the Senate Race
Despite the questions surrounding his past and controversial statements, Platner's campaign strategy, which positions him as a combat veteran committed to opposing both former President Trump and the established political parties, has helped him achieve a two-point lead over Senator Collins in the overall New York Times poll. This race is widely seen as critical, potentially determining the balance of power in the U.S. Senate this November.
The poll also revealed broader sentiment regarding Senate control, with 54% of respondents expressing a desire for Democrats to regain the Senate majority in the midterm elections. This figure is five percentage points higher than the 49% supporting Platner directly. Notably, Senator Collins is attracting 10% of voters who, despite their preference for Democratic control of the Senate, are still voting for her.
For Senator Collins, the poll contains its own set of concerns. A majority of respondents indicated they believe she would be overly supportive of former President Trump. Furthermore, some of her own supporters voiced worries that the 73-year-old senator might be too advanced in age to serve effectively.
