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3d ago

Mills Ends Senate Bid, Making Platner Democrats’ Likely Challenger to Collins

The shake-up positions a first-time progressive candidate in a race both parties see as central to control of the Senate.

Maine Governor Janet Mills gestures while speaking during a meeting of northeastern U.S. Governors and Canadian Premiers to discuss the impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and how American and Canadian leaders can continue to work together to maintain economic relations that benefit local businesses and residents, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Sophie Park/File Photo
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Janet Mills, governor of Maine and Democratic US Senate candidate, during a roundtable discussion with community leaders in Westbrook, Maine, US, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The Maine race is a must-win for Democrats, who need a net gain of four seats in November's midterm elections to claim a Senate majority and see an opportunity to oust Republican Susan Collins from a seat she's held for nearly 30 years. Photographer: Sofia Aldinio/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • Maine Gov. Janet Mills, citing a lack of funds, suspended her Senate campaign Thursday, clearing the way for Graham Platner to lead Democrats against Sen. Susan Collins.
  • Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said they will work with Platner, signaling a quick pivot by national Democrats after backing Mills.
  • Republican groups moved to define Platner, with a pro-Collins super PAC launching a $2 million ad buy and NRSC chair Tim Scott branding him too extreme for Maine.
  • Platner led Mills in key metrics before the exit, raising about $4 million to her roughly $3 million in the first quarter and holding polling leads as large as 64% to 26%.
  • Scrutiny of Platner’s past deleted Reddit posts and a now-covered chest tattoo resembling Nazi imagery has fueled attack ads, raising electability questions in a contest Democrats view as crucial to retaking the Senate.