Maine Governor Janet Mills Suspends Senate Campaign
Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills, aged 78, has decided to withdraw from her Senate campaign, where she aimed to challenge five-term incumbent Senator Susan Collins, a Republican.
Reports indicate that Mills paused her campaign primarily due to financial constraints, particularly against her progressive rival, Graham Platner from Oysterman.
Reflecting on her political record, Mills highlighted various accomplishments, especially in expanding abortion rights:
“As District Attorney, Attorney General, and now Governor, I have consistently advocated for the people of Maine. Together, we’ve worked to enhance health care access, implement fully-funded education, ensure free community college and school lunches, uphold reproductive rights, and bolster our state’s resilience against pollution and severe climate-related storms. Yet, these initiatives are being compromised by a Republican administration that disregards science and neglects the needs of families seeking medical care.”
Mills expressed her motivation to run for the Senate stemmed from a belief that the people of Maine were unfairly treated by Washington and that the president posed a threat to democracy, endangering the nation’s stability.
“I still hold that belief,” she mentioned, attributing her campaign suspension to insufficient funds. Mills reassured her commitment to serving the people of Maine throughout the remainder of her gubernatorial term.
“I possess the drive, passion, dedication, and experience to continue, but political movements today require one crucial element: financial resources,” she stated. “Thus, I had to make the challenging decision to suspend my U.S. Senate campaign.”
With Mills’ departure from the race, only two Democrats remain: the favored Platner and David Costello. Senator Collins acknowledged the difficulty of Mills’ decision, expressing gratitude for her long service to Maine.
A recent Emerson College study indicated that Platner held a substantial lead in the Democratic primary, receiving 55% support compared to Mills’ 28%.
In a notable move earlier this year, Mills signed the Late-Term Abortion Bill 2023, which permits abortions at any stage of pregnancy if deemed necessary by a doctor. She also criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing President Trump of attacking constitutional principles.
