Maine Governor Drops Senate Bid Ahead of Primary

Maine Governor Janet Mills has decided to halt her U.S. Senate campaign just weeks before the Democratic primary, mainly due to insufficient funding.

On Thursday, Mills (D-Maine) withdrew her candidacy for the seat currently held by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), clearing a path for Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and progressive newcomer, to take the lead in the Democratic nomination.

“When I chose to run for the U.S. Senate last year, I did so because I believed that the people of Maine were being mistreated by Washington and that the president was endangering our democracy,” Mills, age 78, remarked in a statement. “I still believe that today.”

“I have the drive, passion, dedication, and the fight to keep going, but, unfortunately, one thing political campaigns require today is financial resources,” she added.

Polling data suggests that Platner, also a Marine Corps veteran, is leading Mills by a significant margin. An Emerson College poll indicated he was ahead by about 27 points in the Democratic primary. However, Mills has not expressed support for him yet and, in a recent interview, was noncommittal about backing him if he became the nominee.

After announcing her withdrawal, Platner spoke fondly of Mills’ contributions to the state, stating that his campaign aims to “take back what’s ours.”

“We’re going to win against Susan Collins,” Platner declared. “Our goal is to head to Washington and dismantle a system that has long ignored the people who make Maine and this nation what it is.”

He expressed a desire to collaborate “closely” with Mills, whose governorship wraps up in November, to help turn the Senate seat blue again.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (Indiana), who identifies as a democratic socialist, congratulated Platner on social media, stating, “He is making strides in taking on the billionaire class and fighting for working families. Americans are done with the status quo and want real change, which Graham will provide.”

Research from Emerson College shows that Platner has a seven-point lead in a hypothetical matchup against Collins.

Meanwhile, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kristen Cianci expressed confidence in Collins’ reelection, describing Platner as a “self-proclaimed communist with Nazi sympathies” and alleging he incites hatred and has a track record of dishonesty.

“We feel assured heading into voting day,” Cianci stated.

The Democratic primary in Maine is scheduled for June 9th.