The polling results regarding the U.S. Senate race in Maine highlight the significant impact of the challenger’s past statements and ideology on voter support, particularly concerning the state’s demographics.1
Maine U.S. Senate Race Polling Data (EMILYs List/November 2025)
The poll for the race between incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Graham Platner demonstrated a dramatic drop in Platner’s support once voters were informed of his controversial history.2
| Scenario | Candidate | Support Margin | Key Takeaway |
| Generic Ballot | Democrat | Leads GOP by 9 points | Maine has a Democratic lean at the generic level. |
| Initial Head-to-Head | Platner trails Collins by 9 points | Platner trails despite the generic Democratic advantage. | |
| After Controversies are Revealed | Platner trails Collins by a staggering 19 points | Platner’s support plummets after voters learn of his past posts, including calling himself a communist and using derogatory language toward rural white Americans. | |
| After Apology is Read | Platner only closes the 19-point gap by 5 points | Platner’s campaign damage control was largely ineffective. | |
| Collins’s Support | Collins | Consistently holds support above 50% in all scenarios. | Her popularity remains stable despite her overall job approval being negative (44% approved vs. 54% disapproved). |
Maine Demographics
The polling blow to a candidate who made inflammatory statements about rural white Americans is particularly significant given Maine’s demographics:
Racial Demographics: Maine is the least racially diverse state in the U.S.
White (Non-Hispanic): 90.2% of the population (1,228,264 residents, based on 2020 Census data).3
Black: 1.8% (25,115 residents).4
Hispanic: 2.0% (26,609 residents).5
Rural Population: The state has a high percentage of rural residents.6
Rural Population Share: 61.5% of Maine’s total population lives in a rural area (2023 data).7
The data suggests that Platner’s comments targeting a demographic that makes up a vast majority of the state’s population and landmass were electorally disqualifying for many voters.
New York Governor Race Polling Data (JL Partners/November 2025)
The separate poll in New York shows a much closer race than might be expected in a deep-blue state:
Head-to-Head: Republican challenger Elise Stefanik trails incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul by only 3 points (46% for Hochul vs. 43% for Stefanik).
Margin of Error: The 3-point gap is within the poll’s margin of error, making the race a statistical tie one year out from the general election.
Voter Dissatisfaction: Governor Hochul’s negative approval rating of 40% approved vs. 54% disapproved suggests voter fatigue is contributing to her vulnerability.