Maine Democrat Graham Platner is vowing to pursue closer ties with China if elected to the Senate, arguing that the U.S. should be "far more cooperative" with the communist state on issues like climate change.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats have embraced Platner's candidacy, with Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts endorsing his campaign. These progressive leaders have defended Platner despite scrutiny over controversial online posts and a Nazi-linked tattoo he has since removed. Platner has called for deposing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader, weakening the filibuster to ease passage of left-wing legislation, and adding seats to the Supreme Court to dilute conservative majority power. During a livestream in February, Platner argued it would be "absurd" to take an aggressive approach toward Beijing given its trade relationship with the United States.
What the Right Is Saying
The Republican National Committee has sharply criticized Platner's remarks. "Graham Platner's soft-on-communism radical ideology would lift up dictators, threaten America's national security, and cost American lives," RNC spokesperson Kristen Cianci said in a statement. Many mainstream Democrats view China as the United States' most formidable strategic competitor or geopolitical threat, positioning Platner's views well outside the political mainstream and to the left of most Democratic lawmakers on this issue.
What the Numbers Show
Recent polling shows Platner with a dominant lead ahead of the June primary against Maine Gov. Janet Mills, despite Mills serving as the state's most senior-ranking Democrat. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the general election contest against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, as a "toss-up." Platner is running to unseat Collins in her sixth Senate term in the blue-leaning state. The November midterm elections will determine whether Platner or Collins wins the seat.
The Bottom Line
The November general election will likely feature a sharp contrast on China policy between Collins and her Democratic challenger. If Platner prevails in the primary and general election, his approach to U.S.-China relations would diverge significantly from mainstream Democratic and Republican positions in the Senate. The contest is being watched as a test of whether voters in a blue-leaning state prefer a more confrontational or cooperative approach to Beijing on issues like climate change.