ME-SEN: Republicans prepare $8 million ad blitz against Platner replacement

[RandySF]

Driving the news: Pine Tree Results, the super PAC backing Republican Sen. Susan Collins, raised $10.5 million during the first half of the year — matching what it raised during the same period in 2025, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The group pulled its anti-Platner ads Tuesday and has $8 million in cash on hand to define a likely fresh Democratic nominee for voters during a compressed campaign.

Among the donors to the pro-Collins super PAC is Blackstone president Jon Gray, a longtime Democratic donor. He contributed $250,000 well before Politico and CNN reported sexual assault allegations against Platner.



https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/republicans-8-million-ad-campaign-platner-replacement?utm_campaign=mrf-utm_campaign=editorial&utm_source=x&utm_medium=owned_social&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&mrfcid=202607076a41edc2b5129c43bc447389