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Politics

Planned Parenthood backs Platner to unseat Collins in Maine race

Sarah Mitchell 0 comments 6 min read
Planned Parenthood backs Platner to unseat Collins in Maine race

Planned Parenthood has endorsed Democrat John Platner in the Maine Senate contest, signaling the abortion rights group's effort to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins in a race that hinges partly on reproductive rights.

The endorsement reflects lingering frustration among abortion advocates over Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh went on to join the majority opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional protection for abortion access.

Collins, who has emphasized her support for abortion rights and her independence from the national Republican Party, has faced sustained criticism from reproductive rights groups since Kavanaugh's confirmation. Her vote in favor of his appointment became a defining moment in the debate over her political reliability on the issue, particularly among voters who prioritize abortion access.

The backing from Planned Parenthood gives Platner a significant boost from one of the most influential advocacy organizations in Democratic politics. The group's endorsement typically signals substantial financial and organizational support heading into the general election.

Maine has emerged as competitive terrain for Senate races in recent cycles, and abortion rights have moved to the center of campaign messaging across the country following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision. The endorsement suggests that Planned Parenthood views the Collins seat as winnable ground where reproductive rights can drive voter turnout and decision-making.

Author Sarah Mitchell: "Collins bet she could vote for Kavanaugh and keep the support of Maine voters on abortion, but this endorsement proves that calculation may have backfired."

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