Voters in four states went to the polls on Tuesday to choose their parties’ candidates. The biggest event was in Maine, where Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner had made scandalous headlines in the past weeks. But in South Carolina, Nevada, and North Dakota, results for governor and congressional races are also coming in. Lisa Desjardins reports.
Geoff Bennett:
Well, yesterday was a major day in the primary calendar, with voters in four states heading to the polls to choose their party’s nominees.
The most closely watched race was in Maine, where Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has faced intense scrutiny in a series of damaging headlines in recent weeks. Meantime, voters in South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota weighed in on key races for governor, Congress and other statewide offices, with results continuing to come in.
Lucky for us, our Lisa Desjardins joins us now with more.
So, Lisa, let’s start in Maine with this pivotal U.S. Senate race. What did Democrats say about their choice to face Republican Susan Collins?
Lisa Desjardins:
What a race.
This was a statement from Maine Democrats that was against the establishment. If you look at the results, you can see Graham Platner ended up with over 70 percent of the vote. Now, his opponent, Governor Janet Mills, did get almost 20 percent, even though she suspended her campaign. But look at the amount of votes there.
The number, the turnout there is much higher than 2020. That was a COVID year, but it was also presidential. So, essentially one of the conclusions here is that Platner did drive progressive turnout. In fact, in some of the bluer towns, they ran out of ballots yesterday in Maine.
Now, he still does face, as you said, some calls about scandals. He has a Nazi — he had — he acknowledged that there is a tattoo he’s covered up that is a Nazi symbol, but he said he did not know exactly what it was. In addition, there are — there is a former girlfriend who says he intimidated her. He has denied that. He says he is a changed man.
And what we saw from Maine Democrats yesterday was embracing him and his unapologetically left agenda.
Geoff Bennett:
And what did Maine suggest…
Graham Platner (D):
If we want to dismantle ICE, win back the Senate, check Donald Trump’s power, and take back ours, as Maine goes, so goes the nation. Together, we will defeat Susan Collins.
(Cheering)
Lisa Desjardins:
As for Collins, she’s undaunted. Her campaign said — quote — “Mainers aren’t looking for bitter campaigns, grand promises are angry speeches riddled with lies. They’re looking for results.”
This race, as you know, could determine the fate of the U.S. Senate.
Geoff Bennett:
Well, I was going to ask you that. What do the results in Maine suggest about other political battles, including for the House?
Lisa Desjardins:
There’s a big race regarding the House. I want to show you where it is. This is Maine’s beautiful Second District. Look at that. This is rural Maine, the top of Maine. In fact, this district is as large as the nation of Ireland.
Here is where we have Jared Golden, conservative, moderate Democrat right now, but he’s retiring. So this is a fight for Democrats. Let’s look at what happened in their primary yesterday. That top name, State Senator Joe Baldacci, he’s the more moderate of the candidates here who Washington Democrats want.
Beneath them, you see two other more liberal or progressives. This is going to a run-off. In Maine, that is done by ranked choice. So we don’t know exactly where that’s going to end up. Also, ranked choice will determine the candidates for Maine’s governor.
Geoff Bennett:
So let’s shift our focus south to a red state, South Carolina. What’s the deal there?
Lisa Desjardins:
All right, some big headlines. Let’s look first at the governor’s race there. And let’s look at who now will be moving on in the Republican race. Lieutenant governor there on the left and the attorney general there on the right were the top two vote getters.
Also important, who didn’t move on, two members of Congress, Nancy Mace, who placed fifth in that race, and Ralph Norman, who placed third in that race. What’s something else notable in South Carolina, the U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham was able to hold on and he has really gotten through one of his biggest Republican challenges in years.
He spent some $27 million just on this primary.
Geoff Bennett:
Really? Wow.
Lisa Desjardins:
Yes.
Geoff Bennett:
Out West, we have got races in Nevada. Bring us up to speed.
Lisa Desjardins:
Right. OK, let’s look at the Nevada governor’s race, which could be a real test of the Trump economy and the mood of voters in the fall.
First of all, here’s the Democrats. They have selected attorney General Aaron Ford as their candidate. He also won over a progressive candidate there in Nevada. So he will take on Governor Joe Lombardo. This could be a very big test for the Trump economy, as I said, housing shortages, large gas prices there in Nevada.
Finally, next door, the race for California governor is now finally set. Xavier Becerra, the attorney general, which is a theme today, will be taking on as a Democrat the Republican Steve Hilton, former FOX News host, all of these races expected to be very expensive.
Geoff Bennett:
Indeed.
Lisa Desjardins, our thanks to you, as always.
Lisa Desjardins:
You’re welcome.
