Maine voters will determine on Tuesday whether Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, will secure the Democratic Party's nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming November election. The primary ballot also features Maine Governor Janet Mills and former Maryland state official David Costello. However, Mills withdrew from the race in late April due to financial constraints, and Costello remains largely unrecognized, according to a recent University of New Hampshire poll.

Platner's campaign has been marked by a series of controversies. These include an allegation that a tattoo he once had bore a resemblance to a Nazi symbol, and further claims published by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal asserting he sent sexually explicit text messages to women. The Times also reported last Thursday that some of Platner's former girlfriends described his past actions as potentially intimidating and disturbing.

Addressing the allegations of sending explicit texts, Platner acknowledged that his actions caused hardship for his wife. In a statement released after the Times' story, Platner stated that he had been open about a difficult period in his life where he struggled with undiagnosed PTSD, self-medicated with alcohol, and was not an ideal partner. He accepted responsibility for his past behavior, suggesting any characterizations beyond that were false and politically motivated.

Regarding the controversial tattoo, Platner previously suggested it was an attempt by the "establishment" to undermine his campaign. During a rally in Bar Harbor on Friday, the day after the latest Times report, Platner commented that his entire past was being scrutinized and weaponized. He also told ABC affiliate WMTW that while he is willing to discuss uncomfortable truths, he will strongly push back against fabricated claims.

Despite these controversies, polling indicates that a majority of likely primary voters hold a positive view of Platner. A University of New Hampshire poll released shortly before the most recent reports found that 76% of likely voters intended to rank Platner, a progressive candidate focused on wealth inequality, first on their ranked-choice ballots.

Given Maine's ranked-choice voting system and the decentralized nature of ballot counting by local municipalities, the final results for each race may not be immediately clear on election night.

Some voters, like Portland resident Tyler Stoddard, support Platner, believing the focus should not be on personal matters. Stoddard expressed hope that Platner could unseat the Republican majority in the Senate, thereby hindering Donald Trump's influence.

Platner's campaign has centered on issues of congressional control and affordability, aiming to resonate with voters concerned about the nation's direction.