Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday (local time) that she has dropped her bid to challenge Republican candidate Susan Collins ahead of the closely watched midterm elections in November.
Despite her popularity and political experience, Mills cited a lack of campaign funding as the main reason for her withdrawal. In a statement, she said: “While I have the drive and passion, determination and experience and above all – the fight – to carry on, I quite simply lack the one thing that political campaigns require: financial resources.”
Mills, 78, joined the primary race last October after encouragement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Many in the Democratic establishment saw the two-term governor as a formidable challenger to Collins, especially after she told President Donald Trump at a White House event last year that she would take legal action to defend transgender rights, Bloomberg reported.
Here’s everything you need to know about Maine Governor Janet Mills:
According to her LinkedIn profile, the 78-year-old studied at the University of Maine School of Law and worked quite intensively. From 2009 to 2011, she served as the Attorney General of the State of Maine. She then became the Vice Chair of the Maine Democratic Party from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, she returned to serve as Attorney General for Maine, a position she held until 2019. As of 2019, she has served as the state’s governor.
Senate control at stake?
Maine’s Senate race is widely considered one of seven key contests likely to determine control of the U.S. Senate. Reports indicate that Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, meaning Democrats would need to pick up four more seats to gain control.
Graham Platner replaces Mills and becomes the leading Democrat
Mills’ departure paved the way for Democrat Graham Platner, a progressive candidate who quickly emerged as a strong fundraiser and outside challenger. Platner is a former Marine and oyster farmer who will now be Collins’ direct challenger for the Republican Senate.
Platner launched his campaign in August, presenting himself as an anti-establishment candidate focused on economic frustrations in the state.
While Mills has not endorsed the 41-year-old Democrat, in an interview earlier this week she declined to pledge her support if he becomes the nominee, The New York Times reported.
The huge gap between Platner and Maine?
According to a CNN report, Platner was able to raise $4.1 million for his campaign in the first quarter of the year, while Mills was only able to raise $2.7 million, highlighting Platner’s approach and campaign performing better than Mills’.
A University of New Hampshire poll from February found Platner far ahead of Mills, 64 percent to 26 percent.
Platner claims victory
After Mills crashed out of the race, Platner, who was surrounded by his supporters, claimed the victory Thursday morning at Augusta. He praised Mills’ experience in the state, adding that this campaign is in the “taking back what’s ours” phase.
Platner said, “We’re going to defeat Susan Collins,” adding, “We’re going to go to Washington and start tearing down a system that for too long has forgotten and written off the people who make Maine and this country what it is.”
