Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner continued to outraise his rivals during the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has more than three times as much cash on hand.
The gap in available cash between Platner and Collins highlights how his Democratic primary contest against Gov. Janet Mills is forcing the political newcomer to dip into his campaign war chest early. Much of his spending has been on television and digital ads, some in response to negative ads from Mills.
Platner has received $4 million in contributions so far this year, but he also spent $5 million over the same period, leaving him with $2.7 million in available cash. Collins, who does not have a primary opponent, spent about one fifth of that amount and has $10 million in cash on hand.
Mills has hauled $2.6 million so far this year and has about $1.1 million left in cash. David Costello, the other Democrat in the race, is well behind the other three candidates, bringing in $41,000 so far this year and $143,000 overall.
The Democratic primary is June 9.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.
