Maine Gov Mills quits Senate race, says she had the fight but not the money as Platner takes over

MAINE: Maine Governor Janet Mills announced on Thursday, April 30, that she is suspending her campaign for the US Senate, ending a closely watched Democratic primary contest and effectively clearing the way for political newcomer Graham Platner to become the party’s nominee.

Mills cited financial constraints as the primary reason for stepping aside after months of trailing Platner in polls and fundraising.

“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 that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources,” Mills said in a statement. 

“That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate,” she added.

Janet Mills exits after struggling to gain momentum in primary

Mills entered the race last October as a high-profile Democratic recruit and was backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who viewed her as the party’s strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

But despite institutional backing, Mills struggled to build momentum against Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer who quickly gained traction among Democratic voters.

Polling consistently showed Platner with a significant lead. 

A March Emerson College poll placed him ahead by 27 points, while an earlier University of New Hampshire survey showed him leading by nearly 40 points. 

Fundraising also reflected the gap. Platner raised $4.1 million in the first quarter of the year, compared to Mills’ $2.7 million.

Mills, 78, had attempted to address voter concerns about her age by pledging to serve only one term if elected. However, the race increasingly became a focal point for broader debates within the Democratic Party over generational change and leadership direction.

Platner, 41, benefited from endorsements by progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren, helping him consolidate support among the party’s progressive base.

Democrats pivot as Graham Platner prepares to face Susan Collins

With Mills’ departure, Democratic leaders quickly shifted their focus toward the general election and the challenge of unseating Collins, who is seeking a sixth term in the Senate.

In a joint statement, Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand signaled support for Platner, saying, “After years of allowing Trump’s abuses of power, Senator Collins has never been more vulnerable, and we will work with the presumptive Democratic nominee Graham Platner to defeat her.”

Collins remains the only Republican senator representing a state that President Donald Trump lost in the last election, making Maine a top Democratic target in the 2026 midterms.

Platner’s campaign has also drawn scrutiny over past social media activity and personal controversies, including resurfaced online posts and criticism over imagery associated with one of his tattoos.

Platner has said some of his earlier posts reflected struggles with post-traumatic stress following military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.