Janet Mills suspends Senate campaign in 'incredibly difficult' decision

Maine Gov. Janet Mills has suspended her campaign for U.S. Senate, the governor announced on her social media channels April 30.

Her exit paves the way for Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and political newcomer, to become the Democratic nominee in a critical race that could help determine control over the U.S. Senate. The nominee will likely face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a Republican representing a state that voted 52.2% in support of former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

In her announcement, Mills said she decided to step away for financial reasons.

"When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was because I believed Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster. I continue to believe that today," Mills said in a statement. "While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else - the fight - to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources."

Mills had been locked in a primary battle with Platner, a progressive who earned the support of leaders like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and has been leading heavily in the polls. According to the latest campaign finance reports filed March 31, Platner has raised nearly $12 million compared to Mills’ $5.4 million.

Jim Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine, Farmington, said that a couple of weeks ago, he would’ve been shocked by her decision. But then, Mills pulled all of her campaign advertising.

“I thought at that point, she's not so far behind that she needs to bail for that reason, this must be about money,” Melcher said. “That’s not the time you shut down spending on a campaign if it’s going all right.”

Still, Melcher said, the race for Senate “developed very differently than people expected.” Mills is a popular governor and was supported by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But she struggled to appeal to younger people and gain support in a climate where many voters wanted something new.

The race also captured the desire for generational change seen in many elections around the country. Mills is 78, while Platner is 41.

“Platner really hit a chord with a lot of them that wanted a blunter, more confrontational, more Bernie Sanders type of politics and I think part of it, I think her age definitely was a factor,” Melcher said. “In an era when some people feel like the old folks are still around too much, I think that made it difficult for her.”

Several other candidates are still in the Democratic primary race, including David Costello and Andrea LaFlamme, but Platner is now the “overwhelming favorite,” Melcher said. A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll from February saw him leading the field with 64%, compared with 26% for Mills, 2% for LaFlamme and 1% for Costello.

Republicans responded to the news with an attack on Platner.

"In November Susan Collins, a proven leader with an indisputable record of delivering for Maine, will face a Nazi sympathizing self-proclaimed communist with a record of hate-mongering and dishonesty, said RNC Spokesperson Kristen Cianci. "It’s safe to say we are confident going into Election Day.”

Speaking to supporters in Augusta, Platner thanked Mills for her long career of service in Maine, which includes her tenures as governor, attorney general, district attorney and a state representative.

"We both got into this race because we knew how critical it is to defeat Susan Collins," Platner said. “I look forward to working closely with her between now and November to do just that."