Maine progressive says he won’t back Schumer even after Democrats unite behind Collins challenger
Platner says 'nothing brings people together like agreeing that Susan Collins shouldn't be in the US Senate'
By Paul Steinhauser Fox News
Published May 11, 2026 3:46pm EDT
ELLSWORTH, MAINE — Graham Platner says he still wouldn't support Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader going forward, even after holding what he described as a "perfectly cordial conversation" with the top Democrat in the chamber.
Platner, an oyster farmer and Army and Marine veteran who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, will face off in this year's midterm elections in blue-leaning Maine against longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The high-profile and competitive 2026 race is one of a handful across the country that will likely determine whether Republicans keep control of their slim Senate majority.
Platner, a first-time candidate, who is backed by progressive champions Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, became the Democrats' presumptive nominee after his rival for the nomination, two-term Gov. Janet Mills, ended her campaign two weeks ago after trailing Platner in polling and fundraising.
Mills was supported by Schumer, who recruited the governor to enter the race.
But Platner said what could have been a difficult conversation was anything but when he had a chance to speak with Schumer on the phone after Mills ended her bid.
"It was not awkward at all. He called to congratulate me on a good race, and nothing brings people together like agreeing that Susan Collins shouldn't be in the U.S. Senate. So we had a perfectly cordial conversation."
Platner said that "at this point, it very much feels that the Democratic Party will support us in our continued endeavor." But he added "we're going to keep doing what we've done up here, because it's obviously what's working."
Platner is one of a small but growing number of progressive Senate candidates who say that, if elected in November, they won't support Schumer as the Senate's Democratic leader. Platner added that the topic of his lack of support for the Democratic leader didn't come up in his conversation with Schumer.
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maine-progressive-says-he-wont-back-schumer-even-after-democrats-unite-behind-collins-challenger
