Primaries in Maine and South Carolina Feature Competitive Governor Races and Senate Contests

Two open primaries for governor in Maine and South Carolina rank among the most competitive contests on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries. Maine’s Senate race has drawn national attention as voters participate in elections in those states as well as Nevada and North Dakota.

Maine Democrat Graham Platner faces limited opposition on the Senate ballot. His performance amid multiple reported controversies remains a point of focus in one of the closer Senate contests. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills remains listed on the ballot after suspending her campaign weeks earlier due to limited momentum and insufficient funds. Platner is projected to win the nomination.

Open races for governor are scheduled in South Carolina and Maine. Both parties will select nominees in several competitive House districts and in districts where Tuesday’s primaries are expected to determine the general election winners. The following outlines key races and elements to monitor beyond vote totals, particularly in Maine.

Margins in Senate primaries

The Senate primaries on Tuesday in Maine and South Carolina center less on the identity of the winners and more on whether vote shares indicate vulnerabilities for the nominees.

Platner established a financial and polling advantage over Mills prior to her suspension, despite multiple reported controversies. These include Reddit posts dated 2009 to 2021 containing profane, racist, and sexually explicit remarks, comments that minimized sexual assault, and the disclosure of a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Platner has stated he was unaware of the tattoo’s significance until late last year and subsequently covered it.

Additional reports emerged concerning sexually explicit text messages Platner exchanged with multiple women early in his marriage. A New York Times article detailed accounts from three former girlfriends describing his conduct as volatile and unsettling. One woman, who has worked for Republican organizations and campaigns, alleged physical roughness, including an incident in which she said Platner twisted her arm behind her back, pushed her into a bedroom, and held the door closed. She also stated that Platner was aware the tattoo was a Nazi symbol prior to last year.

Platner told MSNBC that some allegations are not accurate and that claims involving physical conduct or prior knowledge of the tattoo’s meaning come from a politically motivated individual. It remains unclear how the recent reports will influence primary results, as early voting began May 14. Mills has indicated she is still on the ballot, though no indications exist that she intends to resume her campaign. Some Democrats have expressed concern that Platner could affect the party’s general election prospects and have examined procedures for replacing him if he withdraws. No evidence suggests Platner faces a serious primary challenge, but observers will note the share of protest votes cast.

In South Carolina, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has spent millions to strengthen support among conservative voters in his campaign for a fifth term. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham more than a year ago. Multiple Republicans entered the race, including self-funding businessman Mark Lynch, who contributed $5 million to his campaign. Paul Dans, an architect of Project 2025, ended his candidacy in mid-April and endorsed Lynch. Graham has not previously reached 70 percent in a Republican Senate primary but has defeated well-funded challengers in prior cycles. Lynch’s challenge will be assessed for its level of support as Democrats prepare a general election campaign. Pediatrician Annie Andrews, who has described Graham as a warmonger and swamp creature, leads Democratic fundraising.

Governor primaries with multiple candidates

Maine and South Carolina hold crowded gubernatorial primaries in which no candidate is expected to secure a majority on the initial count, triggering different selection procedures.

In Maine, the Democratic field includes former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah, former state Senate President Troy Jackson, renewable energy entrepreneur Angus King III, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former state House Speaker Hannah Pingree. Recent polls show a close contest with no candidate near 50 percent support, activating the state’s ranked-choice voting system. Under this process, votes for the lowest-polling candidate are redistributed according to voters’ next preferences until a candidate reaches a majority.

Leading Democratic candidates have emphasized opposition to Trump administration policies and cost-of-living concerns. Some have also distanced themselves from Mills, who was barred from seeking re-election by term limits, including criticism of her veto of legislation restricting data center construction.

The Republican primary is also crowded. Polling shows former State Department official Bobby Charles leading a field that includes healthcare technology executive Jonathan Bush, real estate businessman David Jones, former state legislator Garrett Mason, and fitness industry executive Ben Midgley. Ranked-choice voting will apply if no candidate reaches a majority.

South Carolina’s Republican primary for governor features a large field. If no candidate obtains a majority, the top two advance to a June 23 runoff. The race to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster marks the state’s first open gubernatorial contest in 15 years. Candidates competed for Trump’s endorsement, which he granted to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in late May. Other contenders, including state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, had positioned themselves as aligned with Trump priorities.

House district primaries

Several House primaries in the states holding elections Tuesday could influence fall contests. Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is the most competitive battleground seat with a primary on the ballot. The seat is open following the retirement of Democrat Jared Golden, who maintained the position despite Trump carrying the district by nine points in 2024. The district represents a Republican target.

Democratic candidates include state Sen. Joe Baldacci, who presents himself as competitive with swing voters. Baldacci has raised limited funds but received support from the House Democratic campaign committee’s Red to Blue program and joint fundraising with a party super PAC. State Auditor Matt Dunlap is running on a progressive platform that includes support for Medicare for All and draws on his prior political experience. Jordan Wood, former chief of staff to then-Rep. Katie Porter and a staff member at End Citizens United, is the leading fundraiser and switched from a Senate bid to the House race. The Republican primary features only former Gov. Paul LePage, who holds Trump’s endorsement.

Nevada holds primaries in several competitive House districts. In the 3rd District, Democratic Rep. Susie Lee faces self-funding physician James Lally. On the Republican side, Trump has endorsed video game and commercial composer Marty O’Donnell. Former ambassador to Poland Jeff Gunter is also running. Democratic Reps. Dina Titus and Steven Horsford represent districts Trump carried narrowly in some measures or where Harris prevailed by small margins in 2024. Trump-backed state Sen. Carrie Buck is favored in the Republican primary against Titus. Businessman Cody Whipple and attorney Ronda Kennedy have self-funded substantial amounts in the race against Horsford.

North Dakota also holds primaries Tuesday, though contests there are expected to produce nominees in districts with limited general election competition.