Democrats coalesce around Platner as Mills exits Maine Senate race

In a significant shift in the Maine Senate primary, Governor Janet Mills has officially ended her bid to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins, paving the way for progressive outsider Graham Platner to become the Democratic front-runner. Platner, a relatively unknown figure in Maine politics, has garnered the support of key Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. With Mills out of the running, Platner is now poised to take on Collins, a longtime incumbent and one of the most moderate Republicans in the Senate. The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown between Platner's progressive agenda and Collins' centrist record, with implications for the future of Maine politics and the balance of power in Washington.

Democrats are coalescing around progressive political outsider Graham Platner and his bid to oust incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine after primary rival Gov. Janet Mills ended her struggling bid Thursday.  Mills, who is term limited as governor, jumped into the race late last year as one of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.)...