Maine Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate, a move that upends Democratic hopes of unseating longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
In a statement released by her campaign, Mills said the decision came down to a simple but brutal reality: she lacked the money to compete. “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,” she said.
The governor, who is term-limited, entered the race late last year with backing from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other progressive groups. She framed her candidacy as a response to what she called a raw deal for Maine from Washington and a threat to democracy posed by the former president.
“When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was because I believed Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster,” Mills said. “I continue to believe that today.”
Mills’ withdrawal leaves a vacuum in the Democratic primary field. It also raises questions about the party’s ability to mount a credible challenge to Collins, a four-term senator who has proven resilient even in a state that has trended Democratic. The development comes amid a broader debate about campaign finance and the rising cost of running for office.
In related Maine political news, another Democratic candidate, Platner, has called for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito, signaling a more aggressive posture on judicial accountability. Meanwhile, Mills recently blocked a statewide moratorium on data centers, a move that drew criticism from environmental groups but won praise from business interests.
The suspension of Mills’ campaign is a setback for national Democrats who had hoped to expand the map in 2024. Collins, a moderate Republican, has often been a pivotal swing vote in the Senate, and her seat is seen as one of the GOP’s most vulnerable. However, Mills’ exit suggests that the path to flipping it may be steeper than anticipated.
Mills’ statement did not rule out a future run for office, but for now, her focus appears to be on completing her term as governor. “I am proud of what we have accomplished in Maine,” she said, “and I will continue to fight for the people of this state every single day.”
