Maine Governor Janet Mills Teases Senate Run, Quickly Deletes Announcement
Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills appeared to kick off her Senate campaign on social media platform X this past Friday, only to promptly remove the post. In a now-deleted video announcement, the 77-year-old governor posed a question to viewers: “Folks, do you want Democrats to take back the Senate? I’m Gov. Janet Mills, and I’m running to flip Maine’s Senate seat blue.”
In her video, Mills targeted incumbent Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican, accusing her of prioritizing special interests and aligning with Donald Trump. “That ends now,” Mills declared, hinting at a more aggressive stance if elected.
The announcement also directed supporters to a donation page on ActBlue, which has since been removed. In this now-unavailable page, Mills highlighted her extensive experience: “I’ve spent my career standing up for Maine families as a prosecutor, Attorney General, and Governor. I’ve taken on Big Pharma, expanded health care access, and took Donald Trump to court – and won.”
Following the deletion of her posts, social media reactions poured in. National Republican Senatorial Committee staffer Joanna Rodriguez quipped, “In a now deleted tweet at 4:30 PM on a Friday before a holiday weekend, Janet Mills confirms she is in fact running for Senate … Some poor digital staffer is about to get fired!” Progressive political commentator Jack Cocchiarella added, “If you thought democratic politics was missing geriatric candidates with no charisma, wait until you meet 77-year-old Janet Mills, Chuck Schumer’s pick for Senate.”
Mills’ potential candidacy has been anticipated for some time, as she is viewed favorably by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who believes she could be key in defeating Collins. The stakes are high, as Collins is the only Republican senator seeking re-election next year in a state that leaned Democratic in the last presidential election. A victory for Mills could be crucial for the Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate.
However, before Mills can focus on the general election, she must navigate a competitive primary against a crowded field, including Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Marine veteran and oyster farmer who has been gaining traction with support from progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders.
Mills has a notable political history, having served as Maine’s first female attorney general and becoming the state’s first female governor in 2018. During her 2022 re-election campaign, she defeated former Republican Governor Paul LePage by a significant margin.
While Mills is currently considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination due to her strong name recognition, she will face challenges from candidates like Platner, who raised over $3 million shortly after launching his campaign. Sanders has publicly endorsed Platner, emphasizing the need for a strong working-class candidate to defeat Collins. "It’s disappointing that some Democratic leaders are urging Governor Mills to run. We need to focus on winning that seat & not waste millions on an unnecessary & divisive primary," he stated.
Other Democrats in the race include Dan Kleban, a co-founder of Maine Beer Co., and former congressional staffer Jordan Wood, who also demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities. Additionally, Phil Rench, a former engineer at SpaceX, is running as an independent candidate.
Senator Collins, who has held her seat since 1996, has successfully navigated several re-election campaigns. Most recently, she faced off against Democratic State House Speaker Sara Gideon in a fiercely contested race that became Maine’s most expensive election. Despite trailing in polls, Collins secured victory by more than eight points.
As the election landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Maine and the unfolding drama of its Senate race. For the latest updates on the 2024 elections, stay tuned to Fox News.
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