4 key takeaways from South Carolina and Maine primary contests

Embattled Senate hopeful Graham Platner survived his Democratic primary in Maine Tuesday night, setting the stage for a November matchup against longtime incumbent Sen.Susan Collins that could decide which party controls the upper chamber next year. Meanwhile, Senate and gubernatorial primaries in South Carolina demonstrated once again how crucial President Trump’s endorsement is for Republican candidates. Here are four key takeaways from primary night in the pine tree and palmetto states: The controversial oyster farmer and Marine veteran received about 72% of the vote in the Democratic Senate primary despite a string of scandals, including having a Nazi tattoo on his chest up until last fall; making wildly offensive Reddit posts; sexting at least a half-dozen women while married; and allegedly physically abusing an ex-girlfriend.Platner acknowledged he’s “far from perfect” in his victory speech. “I’ve made mistakes in my life.

Mistakes that I regret, that I live with and that I continue to learn from,” he said, before urging voters to accept that “people can change.”Early voting in Maine kicked off on May 11, before two former girlfriends of Platner’s accused him last week of physical abuse and other troubling behavior.Democratic Maine Gov.Janet Mills, who stopped campaigning in April, received about 20% of the vote in the high-profile primary. Republicans wasted no time in going after Platner following his primary win, expressing confidence that Mainers will reject him come the general election. “Today marks the beginning of the end for Graham Platner,” Sen.

Tim Scott (R-SC), who is also the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), wrote on X.  “He will be exposed, his agenda destroyed, and Mainers will reject him,” Scott added.“No amount of DC Democrat support or left-wing billionaire backing will save him.“The choice in Maine is clear and nothing will be taken for granted.” Meanwhile, the NRSC re...