New Wick/2WAY Poll Released
A new Wick poll conducted in partnership with 2WAY finds a highly competitive U.S. Senate race in Maine, with Democratic challenger Graham Platner holding a narrow lead over incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins among likely voters.
The survey of 1,008 likely Maine voters shows Platner ahead of Collins, 47.6% to 45.4%, within a closely divided electorate marked by sharp differences across age, gender, party affiliation, and perceptions of the two candidates.
The findings were presented on 2WAY’s Morning Meeting by Mark Halperin, Editor-in-Chief of 2WAY, and David Burrell, Co-Founder of Wick and Lead Pollster. The full segment is available here: [Watch the 2WAY Morning Meeting segment]
A Competitive Race With Clear Demographic Divides
The poll shows a race that is statistically close and shaped by distinct voter coalitions. Platner performs especially well among younger voters, while Collins remains competitive overall and shows strength with voters ages 35–64.
Among voters ages 18–34, Platner holds a significant advantage, reflecting a broader generational divide in the race. Collins performs strongest among voters in the 35–64 age range, while older voters remain an important group to watch as the race develops.
The survey also finds a gender split: women favor Platner, while men narrowly favor Collins. Independents, a critical group in Maine elections, lean toward Platner in this poll.
Candidate Image: Experience, Values, and Change
Beyond the head-to-head ballot test, the poll examined how voters perceive Collins and Platner across a range of candidate attributes and character measures.
Collins maintains advantages on several values-based measures, including being seen as more morally outstanding and more reflective of Maine values. These findings suggest that Collins continues to benefit from a long-standing personal brand with many Maine voters.
At the same time, Platner is viewed as the candidate of change and as more in touch with working-class Mainers. Those advantages may be especially important in a race where voter sentiment, economic concerns, and appetite for new leadership could play a major role.
Together, the results point to a contest shaped not only by party preference, but also by competing perceptions of experience, authenticity, values, and change.
Full Poll Materials
The complete poll materials are available below:
- Topline Results
- Crosstabs
- Presentation Deck
- 2WAY Morning Meeting Segment
About the Survey
The survey was conducted on behalf of 2Way June 11–14, 2026, among 1,008 likely voters in Maine. Respondents were recruited via text-to-web.
The poll was conducted by Wick in partnership with 2WAY. Findings were presented by David Burrell, Co-Founder of Wick and Lead Pollster, during a live discussion with Mark Halperin, Editor-in-Chief of 2WAY.
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