Maine Gov. Janet Mills Suspends U.S. Senate Campaign, Leaving Oyster Farmer Graham Platner as Democratic Frontrunner
Why It Matters
The shake-up in Maine’s Democratic primary has national implications, reshaping what could be one of the most consequential U.S. Senate races of the 2026 election cycle. Democrats view Maine as a must-win state in their effort to reclaim a Senate majority — and the race to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins just got significantly more complicated for the party.
With Gov. Mills out, Democrats now rally behind a candidate whose past social media posts and a controversial tattoo have already provided Republicans with significant opposition research material heading into November.
What Happened
Maine Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday that she is suspending her Democratic primary campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Mills, 78, cited a lack of financial resources as the primary reason for ending her bid.
“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.
Her exit clears the path for Graham Platner, 41, an oyster farmer who had been leading the Democratic field by a wide margin in both polling and fundraising. The June 9 Democratic primary in Maine remains on the calendar, though the contest is now effectively decided.
By the Numbers
- Platner raised $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2026; Mills raised $2.7 million in the same period.
- A February poll by the University of New Hampshire gave Platner a 64% to 26% lead over Mills.
- Collins is running for her sixth term in the Senate.
- A pro-Collins super PAC launched a $2 million ad buy against Platner last week, signaling Republicans consider him the general election opponent.
- Mills, at 78, would have been the oldest freshman senator ever if elected.
Platner’s Baggage Looms Large
Platner’s path to the general election is not without serious vulnerabilities. Deleted social media posts surfaced during the primary in which Platner denigrated police and made disparaging remarks about rural White Americans. He has since disavowed the posts, saying they do not reflect who he is today.
Platner also faced scrutiny over a tattoo on his chest featuring an image resembling a Nazi symbol. He said he regretted the tattoo and had it covered.
Republicans were quick to seize on Platner’s nomination. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, called Platner “a phony who is too extreme for Maine” in a statement Thursday, accusing Senate Democrats of “coronating” a fringe candidate.
Collins, for her part, struck a more measured tone. “I’m sure this was a difficult decision for Governor Mills, and I thank her for her decades of service to the people of Maine,” she said in a statement.
Zoom Out
The Maine Senate race is part of a broader Democratic effort to flip GOP-held seats across the country. Six rural Oregon Democrats are also competing to oust U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz in another example of the party’s aggressive recruitment strategy in traditionally difficult territory.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — who recruited Mills into the race — and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, head of Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, quickly signaled support for Platner after Mills’ announcement. “Senator Collins has never been more vulnerable,” the two said in a joint statement.
Collins chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and has occasionally broken with her party. She was among three Senate Republicans who voted against the Trump administration’s priority agenda bill. Democrats argue she has not done enough to push back on the White House, while Republicans tout her seniority and record of delivering for Maine constituents.
Platner had earned endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and other progressive voices — a lineup that could energize the far-left base but may prove a liability in a competitive general election.
What’s Next
Maine’s Democratic primary is scheduled for June 9. With Mills out, Platner is the presumptive nominee and is expected to shift focus to the general election campaign against Collins. Republicans are expected to aggressively highlight Platner’s controversial past statements and associations with progressive figures as the race intensifies through the fall.
About the Author
