Democrats’ Hopes Dashed for Senate Candidate Replacement
PORTLAND, Maine — The prospects for a replacement for Graham Platner appear bleak for Democrats.
While Governor Janet Mills was in Boston attending the funeral of the late U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, some national Democrats held onto a glimmer of hope that she might revive her Senate campaign against Platner and lend support to the Maine Democratic Party.
Initially, Mills was viewed as the frontrunner for the Senate seat. However, she unexpectedly abandoned her campaign in late April after polls indicated she was trailing Platner by a significant margin. Mills, 78, has recently reminded the public she is still on the ballot for the upcoming vote, even as Platner’s campaign faces mounting allegations, including accusations from an ex-girlfriend.
Unfortunately for anxious Democrats, rather than jump back into the race, Mills spent the night before the election at a funeral.
“People think I’ve ‘withdrawn’ or ‘dropped out’, but I just stopped actively campaigning,” Mills stated earlier this month, emphasizing her intention to vote.
Ironically, Frank, who had been supportive of Mills, voiced his concerns about Platner in his final days.
“I worry about Democrats getting overly enthusiastic this month,” Frank shared. “New faces might be charming, but they need to focus on actionable plans.”
State law mandates that candidates must withdraw from the ballot at least 70 days before the primary, meaning any potential withdrawal would have had to happen by late March.
A Democratic operative mentioned, “Ms. Mills is solid and scandal-free, with a record that speaks for itself,” referring to her disagreements with President Trump’s policies.
As the Maine Senate race unfolds, Mills remains neutral, while some allies urge her to reconsider. Although she hasn’t yet, her presence on the ballot could signify a possible protest vote against Platner, who seems to be the presumptive nominee.
“If Platner’s campaign continues in its current direction, he might face significant challenges,” said a Democrat close to Mills.
Other Democrats, like David Costello and write-in candidate Andrea Laflamme, are also in the race but lag behind Platner in polls.
Mills had faced challenges with fundraising and a noticeable polling deficit, factors that led to her decision to scale back her campaign.
After launching his campaign last October, Platner had already gained significant ground. Critics suggested Mills joined the race too late to make an impact.
Since suspending her campaign, Mills has made periodic public appearances to highlight her accomplishments, including new classroom policies and promoting local dairy farmers.
Democrats are now left wondering if Platner can effectively challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), whose win is vital for Democrats hoping to regain control of the Senate.
Current polling has Platner ahead of Collins, but she often exceeds expectations by a notable margin.
Concerns linger that Platner may have undisclosed issues. Recent reports have surfaced detailing troubling behavior towards ex-girlfriends.
One accusation involved claims of physical incidents made by Republican operative Lindsey Fifield, which Platner denies.
The New York Times also explored past troubling messages regarding potential Nazi tattoos associated with him, stemming from an incident in Croatia.
Additionally, prior to these more recent controversies, reports surfaced regarding Platner’s inappropriate communications during his marriage.
Platner is also linked to a series of provocative statements on Reddit, stirring further unease among constituents.
