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demmiblue

(39,919 posts) Thu Apr 30, 2026, 08:56 AM Apr 30

Janet Mills, Governor of Maine, Suspends Senate Campaign [View all]

Source: NYT

Gov. Janet Mills of Maine, the Democratic establishment’s choice to run for the Senate seat long held by Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, suspended her campaign on Thursday, saying she no longer had the financial resources to compete against Graham Platner, a progressive political newcomer.

Her exit paves the way for Mr. Platner, an oysterman who has led her in polls, to become the Democratic nominee in one of the most important Senate races in the country.

“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,” Ms. Mills said in a statement.

Her exit is a blow not only to the two-term sitting governor but also to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and the Democratic Party establishment that he leads. Mr. Schumer, the minority leader, has for almost two decades chosen his party’s Senate candidates with little internal opposition.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/janet-mills-drops-out-senate-race-platner-schumer.html

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Janet Mills, Governor of Maine, Suspends Senate Campaign [View all] demmiblue Apr 30 OP

Any path to victory she had evaporated over the last couple months. bearsfootball516 Apr 30 #1

I was sad to hear this LetMyPeopleVote Apr 30 #2

Her heart wasn't in it, and MaineNative Apr 30 #21

Thank you for posting this. I wish this guy was running in Colorado because he seems like PatrickforB Apr 30 #50

I just hope Platner isn't another Fetterman, Manchin, or Sinema Multichromatic Apr 30 #3

Those are going to hurt for a long time. Harker Apr 30 #4

I would have thought his misogyny alone would have been a disqualifier. niyad Apr 30 #7

Yep. QueerDuck Apr 30 #42

I hear ya. I'm really annoyed with Dem "establishment", but Platner AllyCat Apr 30 #8

I also worry about Platner being a ringer for the repukes infullview Apr 30 #33

Seems like nothing is certain except uncertainty these days. We can only hope and only time will tell. But I do think KPN Apr 30 #25

Is there any evidence that he might? Flatrat Friday #58

Damn. Why is young talent so hard for the state & nat'l party so hard to nuture in so many states? irisblue Apr 30 #5

Post removed Post removed Apr 30 #6

Guns as well. rogue emissary Apr 30 #10

Sadly, so very true. niyad Apr 30 #17

If he wins at all... reACTIONary Apr 30 #28

That is... 2naSalit Apr 30 #35

I'm 72 and hubby will be 79 in November Karma13612 Apr 30 #44

We're just a little younger than you guys... slightlv Apr 30 #51

I'm in..... Karma13612 Apr 30 #56

You pointed out two basic elements to consider... slightlv Saturday #59

Love this idea! Karma13612 Sunday #60

I never thought about the tiny homes angle... slightlv Sunday #61

She would have been a terrific candidate 20 or 30 years ago, but in this day and age not so much. Fil1957 Apr 30 #9

Thought The Same Thing modrepub Apr 30 #23

And how fucking old... 2naSalit Apr 30 #36

EXACTLY! niyad Apr 30 #39

It's a valid point, we shouldn't discount wisdom of the elderly Karma13612 Apr 30 #46

lol.. Yes, and Sen Angus King. It's Cha Apr 30 #57

This is too bad. LisaM Apr 30 #11

Nor do I. ...nt 2naSalit Apr 30 #37

How many years experience in elected office does Platner have? Martin Eden Apr 30 #12

Zero dave99 Apr 30 #31

Zero. niyad Apr 30 #34

he's the flavor of the month Skittles Apr 30 #55

Mills forgot to mention that she has no money because she is getting killed in the polls. flashman13 Apr 30 #13

That is my question... reACTIONary Apr 30 #30

"Schumer has for almost two decades chosen his party's Senate candidates with little internal opposition" thesquanderer Apr 30 #14

I do think that is how younger generations starting with the millenials view democracy. I think that's why Bernie KPN Apr 30 #29

That quote is from the New York Times Easterncedar Apr 30 #45

Just listening to Jon Stewart's interview with Platner Simeon Salus Apr 30 #15

here's the link Simeon Salus Apr 30 #16

Post removed Post removed Apr 30 #18

He is the Democratic candidate for Senate from Maine now. I support the Dem candidate. Simeon Salus Apr 30 #20

Yup... 2naSalit Apr 30 #22

Your post breaks the following DU rule: chernabogg Apr 30 #41

Platner is going to be another Miguelito Loveless Apr 30 #19

Less than ideal if that happens Zambero Apr 30 #38

If Mills can't run, then I'll take anyone with a D in front of their name SpankMe Apr 30 #24

I think... 2naSalit Apr 30 #27

Schumer immediately endorsed Platner: sop Apr 30 #26

Very good. She was my original choice since she's proven she can win state wide. aeromanKC Apr 30 #32

Great news Akakoji Apr 30 #40

"Maine doesn't want another older white woman" Easterncedar Apr 30 #48

Advocating for another polluting AI data center was the final nail in the coffin wolfie001 Apr 30 #43

It was more complicated than that. Easterncedar Apr 30 #47

She's a good person, yes wolfie001 Apr 30 #53

"the Democratic establishment's choice to run for the Senate" Intractable Apr 30 #49

This is good news for Democrats. -misanthroptimist Apr 30 #52

Excellent RetiredParatrooper Apr 30 #54

Will never trust Platner but Maine doesn't seem to have many options. nt Blasphemer Monday #62