Primary Day Maine 2026 6AM

Quitting vs Suspending

The conversation clarifies the difference between suspending and quitting a political campaign. Matt explains that suspending means a candidate is no longer actively campaigning but remains on the ballot. Quitting, however, requires filing paperwork with the state's secretary of state to be removed from the ballot. Graham Platner, who suspended his campaign, must officially quit by Monday to allow for his replacement. Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign, could potentially re-enter the race if circumstances change. The discussion also touches on the logistics of printing ballots, with a deadline in August.

The Fall Of Graham Platner

The discussion centers on the rise and fall of Grant Platner, a Democratic candidate whose downfall was foreseeable due to his fabricated working-class identity. Platner's marketing team, backed by a national Democratic group, created a narrative that misrepresented him as a working-class hero, despite his actual income being minimal from his oyster business and disability payments. This narrative was promoted by elite media, leading to his initial success. As scandals emerged, Democratic voters ignored the red flags, ultimately replacing him at a convention. The conversation critiques the party's failure to critically evaluate candidates and the media's role in perpetuating the myth.

Maine Vintage Toys

Jesse Fairbanks with Maine Vintage Toys comes in studio, talking about all things nostalgic, trivia and more! www.mainevintagetoys.com

Josh Filler

Matt is joined by security analyst Josh Filler. Josh is an attorney and former New York City, White House, and Department of Homeland Security official, bringing deep national security experience to the conversation about Graham Platner.

Jason Savage

Matt speaks to Jason Savage, Senior Advisor at the Maine Republican Party