Janet Mills Suspends Senate Bid, Clearing Way for Graham Platner to Face Susan Collins

Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate, citing an inability to raise the financial resources necessary to continue. Her exit comes as progressive challenger Graham Platner led in polls and fundraising, positioning him as the presumptive Democratic nominee to face Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

Mills had reported just over $1 million in campaign cash on hand at the end of March, compared with about $2.7 million reported by Platner. Her campaign also pulled television advertising earlier in the month, a visible sign of financial strain.

The governor had been the preferred candidate of national Democrats and was recruited to the race by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who viewed her as the strongest challenger to five-term Sen. Collins. Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand issued a joint statement on Thursday criticizing Collins and pledging party support for Platner.

"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.

Platner's rise has been rapid. The oyster farmer and political newcomer launched his campaign last August and quickly accumulated support and cash. But his candidacy has drawn controversy: opponents and outside groups have highlighted offensive old Reddit posts and a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, which Platner has said he later covered and that he insists do not reflect who he is today. A super PAC supporting Collins, Pine Tree Results PAC, placed millions of dollars in ads this week focusing on those controversies.

Republicans seized on Mills' withdrawal to press attacks on Platner's experience and character. NRSC Chair Sen. Tim Scott criticized Democrats for backing what he called an "extremist" candidate and praised Collins' record of constituent service.

"Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats just coronated a phony who is too extreme for Maine," Sen. Tim Scott said. "Susan Collins has always put in the work for her constituents and delivered."

Platner's campaign has already begun running ads aimed at Collins and told donors this week it is shifting focus to the general election — an early signal that his team views the primary as effectively decided. Mills' announcement did not name Platner. On Thursday, Platner's campaign said it would roll out a slate of local endorsements during stops in Lewiston and Augusta.

What Comes Next

With Mills out, Democrats will rally behind Platner as their likely nominee in a race national strategists view as competitive given Collins' vulnerability in recent cycles and lingering voter dissatisfaction with Republicans. Expect a high-profile general election that highlights both Collins' long tenure and Platner's rapid ascent and controversies.