Maine Governor Janet Mills, 78, is reminding voters that, although she has paused her active campaign for the U.S. Senate, she will still appear on the ballot. Voters can choose to vote against her Democratic opponent, Graham Platner.
Mills suspended her Senate campaign in April, citing financial difficulties in facing Platner, an oysterman embroiled in multiple controversies. Both candidates aim to unseat the current Republican senator, Susan Collins.
“I have the drive, passion, dedication, and experience, along with the fight to press on. But, unfortunately, campaigns today need money, and I just don’t have it,” Mills stated when announcing the suspension of her campaign against Platner.
She continued, explaining that it was a tough choice to halt her Senate bid.
This leaves Platner and David Costello as the sole contenders for the Democratic nomination. However, Platner has drawn scrutiny for his controversial remarks, including derogatory comments about Purple Heart recipients and troubling views on sexual assault victims, along with a scandal involving a Nazi tattoo.
Despite that, Mills is emphasizing that she is still a voting option for them.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding that I dropped out,” Mills reportedly mentioned. “I haven’t quit campaigning completely; I am still here to vote,” she added.
Interestingly, former Maine Governor Paul LePage (R-Maine), now running for Congress, has labeled Platner an elitist.
“What people overlook is that Graham Platner is quite affluent. He went to a private school. He’s not exactly who he claims to be. Sure, he’s an oyster farmer, but only has one customer—his mother,” LePage commented.
“He’s an elitist who’s basically vanished from society,” LePage remarked. “You’ll soon figure it out.”
Even with Platner’s numerous incidents, Mills has a progressive track record, notably having signed a contentious bill that extends late-term abortion rights, allowing the procedure at any stage if deemed “necessary” by a doctor.
