iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 24/09/2026

The only live TV that I've been watching is football, so take this with a grain of salt. But from what I've seen, Troy and allies are absolutely getting slaughtered in ad spend. Cohn seems puzzled here by something that might make more sense if you've been watching TV in Maine.

At least to me, Mr. Jackson's low ratings are the most striking result of the poll. He may not be a particularly charismatic figure, but he hasn't been embroiled in a major scandal, and that's what it would usually take for 18 percent of Kamala Harris's supporters to view a Democrat unfavorably.
For some perspective, Mr. Jackson's ratings are even worse than Mr. Platner's were in June, when he was fending off scandal before an allegation of sexual assault ended his run.

200

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 26/07/2026

Welp, they put us on the front page of the Sunday paper.

A screenshot of the cover of the Maine Sunday Telegram, with an inset picture captioned "Cumberland County delegate Benjamin Gaines and his son join hundreds of other Democrats expressing their support for the party's candidate at Saturday's convention in Bangor."

141

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 06/07/2026

They were in there. I didn't screencap the q about Shenna, but they asked whether I had a favorable opinion of her.

1:314
• Messages
•| - (33
surveymeasure.com
山
It is possible that Democrat Graham Platner steps down from the US Senate race due to a number of controversies.
In that scenario, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 13th to replace him.
Some have suggested that Democrat Nirav Shah will step in to replace Platner on the ballot.
Democrat Nirav Shah is a doctor who led the Maine CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic and later helped lead the national CDC. This year he ran for governor in the Democratic primary and received the second-most votes.
Republican Susan Collins has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1997 and is running for re-election. She is known for her independence from her party and for delivering federal funding to Maine.
+
•••

1:30 A
4 Messages
+
surveymeasure.com
山
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Democrat Troy Jackson?
Very Favorable
Somewhat Favorable
Somewhat Unfavorable
Very Unfavorable
Haven't Heard Enough to Say
Next
+
68
•••

110

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 06/07/2026

For the record, they did test Troy's favorables in the same poll. They just didn't run a heat with him against Collins (they did for Golden and Shah). But they might have split sampled those.

1:31 →
4 Messages
surveymeasure.com
It is possible that Democrat Graham Platner steps down from the US Senate race due to a number of controversies.
In that scenario, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 13th to replace him.
Some have suggested that Democrat Jared Golden will step in to replace Platner on the ballot.
Democrat Jared Golden has represented Maine's 2nd District in Congress since 2019. He is a Marine veteran from Lewiston, and he is known for his independence from his party and support for Maine's lobster industry.
Republican Susan Collins has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1997 and is running for re-election. She is known for her independence from her party and for delivering federal funding to Maine.
Who would you vote for in the November US Senate election in Maine?

190

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 06/07/2026

Yes, text-to-web. All I have is Verasight, not the actual sponsor. Also hearing rumors of a BIG negative story dropping today.

Text Message • SMS
Today 1:26 PM
VERASIGHT
MAINE
Maine residents needed!
Share your perspective today!
nx2 Email
Hello, Verasight is conducting a survey of Cumberland County residents. Most people don't respond -- will you be the exception and share your opinions in this survey today?: https:/l
www.surveymeasure.com/
surveys/ d2551dcc22c-
c7d8e53b6c3503bc2464d/?
smsid=5c788317e03962&s=V
Not interested? Reply STOP to opt out.
山

1151

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 06/07/2026

So, I just took an interesting poll. #mepolitics

1:314
4 Messages
surveymeasure.com
It is possible that Democrat Graham Platner steps down from the US Senate race due to a number of controversies.
In that scenario, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 13th to replace him.
Some have suggested that Democrat Patrick Dempsey will step in to replace Platner on the ballot.
Democrat Patrick Dempsey was born in Lewiston and starred in movies and TV shows like Grey's Anatomy. He founded the Dempsey Center, which offers free support to Maine cancer patients and families.
Republican Susan Collins has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1997 and is running for re-election. She is known for her independence from her party and for delivering federal funding to Maine.
Who would you vote for in the November US Senate election in Maine?

1:314
• Messages
•i| - (33
surveymeasure.com
山
It is possible that Democrat Graham Platner steps down from the US Senate race due to a number of controversies.
In that scenario, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 13th to replace him.
Some have suggested that Democrat Mattie Daughtry will step in to replace Platner on the ballot.
Democrat Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick is the current President of the Maine Senate. She is a brewery co-owner who has served in the Legislature since 2012, and she led passage of Maine's paid family leave law.
Republican Susan Collins has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1997 and is running for re-election. She is known for her independence from her party and for delivering federal funding to Maine.
+
•••

1:324
4 Messages
alج 33
surveymeasure.com
山
Which of the following best describes how you're thinking about the election for U.S. Senate in Maine?
I would vote for most Democrats against Susan Collins, including Graham Platner.
I would not vote for most Democrats against Susan Collins, but I would vote for Graham Platner.
I would vote for most other Democrats against Susan Collins, but I would not vote for Graham Platner.
I would vote for Susan Collins against most other Democrats if they were running against her, including Graham Platner.
Not sure
Next
+
68
•••

1:324
4 Messages
33)
surveymeasure.com
山
Which of the following comes closest to your view?
In rare cases, party leaders should be able to step in and replace the nominee if something big changes after the primary.
This could be a major scandal, a health issue, or something like Joe Biden's 2024 debate performance.
Once a candidate wins the primary, they should be the party's nominee in the general election, no matter what happens later. Party leaders should never replace the person the voters picked.
Not sure
Next
个
+
63
•••

1616721

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 14/04/2026

I don't have a gif, but...

130

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 24/03/2026

Ok, I hadn't even heard about the lobsterman one.

Maine Opinions Survey
* Platner had a Nazi tattoo for nearly 20 years, lied about not knowing what it meant, and only agreed to cover it up when it became an issue for his campaign.
Please indicate whether that statement raises very serious concerns, serious concerns, minor concerns, or no real concerns for you about Graham Platner.
) Very serious concerns
) Serious concerns
) Minor concerns
) No real concerns
) Don't know

Maine Opinions Survey
* Platner made dozens of offensive comments about women, gay people, and Black people as recently as 2021, not over a decade ago like he is claiming.
Please indicate whether that statement raises very serious concerns, serious concerns, minor concerns, or no real concerns for you about Graham Platner.
) Very serious concerns
) Serious concerns
) Minor concerns
No real concerns
) Don't know

Maine Opinions Survey
* Platner called Black people cheap, asking why they
"don't tip."
Please indicate whether that statement raises very serious concerns, serious concerns, minor concerns, or no real concerns for you about Graham Platner.
) Very serious concerns
) Serious concerns
Minor concerns
No real concerns
) Don't know
+
...

Maine Opinions Survey
* Platner called lobstermen
"terrible people," "lazy," and
"drug addicted maniacs."
Please indicate whether that statement raises very
serious concerns, serious concerns, minor concerns, or no real concerns for you about Graham Platner.
) Very serious concerns
) Serious concerns
) Minor concerns
No real concerns
) Don't know
→
+
...

112

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 24/03/2026

I get polled a lot: Graham Platner's dirty laundry edition. Wait for it.

Maine Opinions Survey
* Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Graham Platner is the best candidate to win the general election against Susan Collins.
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
) Strongly disagree
) Don't know
→
...

Maine Opinions Survey
* Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Janet Mills is the best candidate to win the general election against Susan Collins.
) Strongly agree
) Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
) Strongly disagree
) Don't know
→
+
...

Maine Opinions Survey
* Have you seen any ads about Janet Mills in the past two weeks?
• No
• Yes
) Don't know
+
8

Maine Opinions Survey
* Have you seen any ads about Graham Platner in the
past two weeks?
) Yes
• No
) Don't know
8
.•.

220

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 28/01/2026

Which is exactly why the statement goes after Noem and Miller, but not the agents.

Largest federal employee union calls for independent third-party investigation and bipartisan congressional oversight to uncover the truth
WASHINGTON - Following the killing of AFGE Member Alex Pretti and the subsequent slanderous rhetoric that followed from top Trump administration officials, AFGE
National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
"Yesterday, AFGE brought together labor and faith leaders from Minneapolis and across the nation to mourn our fallen brother from Local 3669, Alex Pretti. We honored his life and legacy and lifted up his family, his friends, his union, Minneapolis, and our nation in prayer.
"Today, we demand accountability.
"In the immediate aftermath of Alex's killing, DHS
Secretary Kristi Noem betrayed the public trust by slandering the good name of our union brother and calling him a "domestic terrorist." Alex Pretti was a patriotic ICU nurse at a VA hospital who devoted his life to serving America's veterans. That claim was reckless, defamatory, and unsupported by the facts. Noem was preceded in this false statement by Stephen Miller, Deputy White

this false statement by Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, who is also the architect of the chaotic and failed immigration policy in Minnesota.
"Our demand is clear: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was responsible for carrying out the policy that led to Alex's needless killing, and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of that policy, must resign immediately. If they refuse, President Trump must dismiss them.
"Public reporting has established that Mr. Miller is the driving force behind the administration's harsh immigration agenda. He personally directed its implementation and used high-pressure tactics to force compliance across the federal government. These were not abstract policy choices. They were imposed from the top and enforced without regard for the consequences.
"Secretary Noem willingly carried out this agenda. Secretary Noem made deliberate choices that reshaped the Department of Homeland Security and enabled this tragedy. Over the past year, she removed senior leaders, consolidated authority, and enforced aggressive immigration tactics that prioritized political objectives over professional judgment and public/officer safety. Those choices created the conditions that led directly to this tragedy.
"This conduct is consistent with Secretary Noem's broader record at DHS. Under her leadership, TSA workers have faced sustained attacks on collective bargaining rights and union representation. At FEMA her actions have weakened frontline workers, undermined labor protections, and eroded accountability within the agency that is so critical to disaster preparedness and

response. Over the past year, she removed senior leaders within the Department of Homeland Security and reshaped the agency's command structure to ensure adherence to Mr. Miller's aggressive immigration strategies. Those decisions escalated tensions, undermined professional judgment, and put lives at risk.
"Taken together, the actions of Miller and Noem, both before and after Alex's killing, make clear they are unfit to serve in their current positions, or any position requiring the public trust.
"AFGE calls for a full and transparent investigation into Alex's killing led by an independent third party. We also call for bipartisan congressional oversight to uncover the truth, ensure accountability, and begin repairing the damage to public trust."
###
The American Federation of Government Employees
AFGE) is the largest federal employee union,
representinc
820,000 workers in the tederal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

221

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 10/01/2026

I don't know about you, but personally for some reason I find this one particularly compelling. #mepolitics

Shenna is the only candidate with a proven record of standing up to Trump. As Secretary of State, Shenna disqualified Trump from the Maine ballot for inciting an insurrection. And when Trump demanded she hand over sensitive voter data, Shenna told Trump to "jump in the Gulf of Maine." Even in the face of threats, Shenna refused to back down, because Mainers need a leader who will stand up for democracy, the Constitution, and all Mainers.
・・
Very convincing
Somewhat convincing

131

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 10/01/2026

Got another one! (This one's from Shenna.) #mepolitics

Today 5:28 PM
Hi Benjamin, Dynata is conducting a short survey on issues important to Maine. By sharing your opinions, you will help us shape the future.
Survey Link: https://
voter.community/DYdyziDZA
Reply STOP to Opt-out
The sender is not in your contact list.
Report Junk

210

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 19/11/2025

This was a demographic sampling question at the end of that Woods poll that wouldn't let me advance without making a selection. Interesting survey design choice.

Do you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender? [ALLOW MULTIPLE RESPONSES]
Gay
Lesbian
Bisexual
Transgender
Not sure
>>
Powered by AForsta

220

Ben Gaines @gaines-law.com · 19/11/2025

This one just asked about Collins, Mills, and Platner. I got one two weeks ago that tested Platner, Mills, and Jordan Woods. I think it came from Woods' team.