Maine Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she is ending her bid for the U.S. Senate, citing persistent fundraising struggles and weak support from Democrats as primary reasons. The decision follows a campaign that faltered despite Mills’ public clashes with President Donald Trump over transgender women in sports last year—a controversy that did not translate into sustained political momentum.
Mills stated in her withdrawal statement that she lacks “the financial resources” required for modern political campaigns and expressed unending love, admiration, and hope for Maine residents, describing them as “a people whose hearts are filled with love and whose integrity and humility is surpassed only by their kindness, generosity, and compassion.”
The governor trailed progressive candidate Graham Platner in polls despite his controversies. Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, has faced criticism for using a slur against people with disabilities and posting decade-old Reddit comments about Black individuals not tipping at restaurants and sexual assault in the military. Heather Cox Richardson, a historian from Maine and outspoken Trump critic, noted that “people who speak respectfully” often get ignored while “angry people get action.” Mike Hurley, former mayor of Belfast, Maine, added governance is “slow and it involves a lot of expertise.”
Mills sought to replace U.S. Senator Susan Collins in the Senate race.
