Political newcomer Graham Platner has a massive lead over Gov. Janet Mills in the first poll of Democratic primary voters in Maine's closely watched race for the Senate.
The poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center was conducted as controversy was swirling around statements Platner made online years ago.
The poll shows that 58% of likely Democratic primary voters favor Platner. Janet Mills, Maine's two-term governor, who was recruited by national party leaders, was polling at just 24%. None of the other candidates in the crowded field received more than 1%.
Platner is an oysterman and Marine Corps veteran from Sullivan whose direct style and anti-establishment message has resonated with some disaffected Democrats and independents.
UNH began polling as news broke about insensitive comments Platner made years ago in online forums. But the survey stopped around the same time that Platner disclosed that he has a tattoo associated with Nazis.
Platner has said he was unaware of the Nazi ties to the skull-and-crossbones design when he received the tattoo while drunk and on leave with his fellow Marines nearly 20 years ago.
The UNH poll finds the strongest support for Platner among self-described socialists, progressives and moderates. Support for Mills, meanwhile, was strongest among self-described liberals.
