Some Democratic establishment figures are openly attacking their own Senate nominee in Maine, which is bad for party unity but likely helpful for the populist insurgent they are attacking.

• Graham Platner crushed establishment favorite Janet Mills in Maine's Senate primary, but Massachusetts Rep. Jake Auchincloss and other party figures are saying on Fox News they would not mind losing the seat.
• Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, is vulnerable because she voted for Kavanaugh after promising he would not overturn Roe, making culture war attacks risky for her.
• Attacks from DC insiders, a Biden official, and a former Cuomo aide may actually help Platner by proving he is not a standard Democrat.
• The same fight is playing out in California, where DC-backed Jasmine Baines trails progressive Randy Villegas by four points despite heavy spending from pro-Israel group DMFI.
• Voters across parties want anyone who will break the status quo on housing, healthcare, and corporate power, not culture war fights.

Outlook: Platner is favored to win the primary and gives Democrats a real shot at flipping Maine, while the California race on June 2 will test whether the populist wave can beat establishment money.