Senator Susan Collins' (R-ME) Senate re-election campaign is in turmoil after Democrat Graham Platner, her primary opponent, abruptly suspended his campaign due to credible allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.

This development has left Collins' team scrambling to rebuild their strategy, which previously relied on Platner's scandals to position her as the more trustworthy candidate.

Internal polling confirmed Collins' heavy dependence on this approach, as Platner's weak performance in his own campaign's flash poll contrasted with the strength of alternative Democratic candidates.

Now, with the focus shifting back to Donald Trump's unpopularity, Collins' advisers insist she can still win, though the specter of Trump will likely loom large in the November elections.

The collapse of Platner's campaign has also raised questions about the viability of using flawed opponents to distract from a candidate's own vulnerabilities, particularly in a state increasingly hostile to Trump and his party.