Comedian Jon Stewart says Democrats are 'lost' for failing to support Platner in Maine Senate race

Comedian Jon Stewart told Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner Wednesday that Democrats and the Democratic National Committee are "lost" after the establishment Democrats united behind Maine Gov. Janet Mills despite Platner's polling lead.

Mills suspended her Senate campaign Thursday over a lack of funding and low polling numbers, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed her campaign along with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. 

Stewart told Platner that the mainstream Democrats were likely concerned about his electability statewide, but indicated it was a sign Democratic leadership is still struggling with figuring out a way forward after the 2024 elections saw President Donald Trump defeat former Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“They’re lost, dude. They’re lost,” Stewart said on his “The Weekly Show” podcast. “You’re either a moderate Democrat or you’re a left-wing firebrand. And so what they’re saying is, oh sure, the left-wing firebrand — that does well in the primary, but that’ll never travel.

“There’s something crazy about this, as though you are … the Democratic equivalent of a MAGA loyalist who has come out with wildly controversial positions," he added. 

Platner is considered more progressive than Mills and has been endorsed by Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren. He has centered his campaign on affordability for housing and healthcare.

The Democratic hopeful told Stewart that the best way for Democrats to build momentum and power moving forward is by meeting the moment and putting people like him in Congress.

“There has never been a moment in American history where we’ve gotten good things just because the institutions or people in power decided to do it,” he said.

The Maine primaries will take place June 9, 2026. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.