PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she is ending her campaign for the United States Senate, withdrawing from the Democratic primary scheduled for June 9 in what had become a closely watched contest.
Mills cited inadequate campaign funding as the primary reason for her decision to step aside from the race that was seen as crucial for Democrats hoping to gain Senate control.
“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 stated in her announcement. “That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate.”
The two-term governor and veteran Maine political figure had been viewed as a premier Democratic candidate for 2026 when she launched her Senate campaign last year. Mills received support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several progressive advocacy organizations in their effort to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins and potentially shift Senate control to Democrats.
However, Mills found herself unable to match the momentum generated by newcomer Graham Platner, her primary challenger. Platner has sustained significant support despite facing scrutiny over previous online statements and a tattoo widely associated with Nazi imagery.
In her withdrawal statement, Mills refrained from backing Platner but pledged to continue protecting constitutional principles and democratic values during her remaining time as governor.
Following Mills’ announcement, Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York indicated they would collaborate with Platner in the effort to unseat Collins.
“Our North Star is winning a Democratic Senate majority, and over the past year, Senate Democrats have carved out multiple paths to do that,” they said in a joint statement.
The Mills-Platner primary battle exemplified larger Democratic Party discussions about the most effective strategies for defeating Republican candidates and regaining influence in Washington under President Donald Trump’s administration, where Republicans hold the presidency and both congressional chambers.
Platner has earned endorsements from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who serves as an independent but aligns with Democrats, along with Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.
Mills had attempted to position herself as the strongest candidate to challenge Trump, frequently referencing her confrontational stance toward the former president, including her declaration that she would “see him in court” regarding Maine’s legal battles with the Trump administration over federal funding and transgender athlete policies.
Despite these efforts, Mills’ messaging often seemed overshadowed by Platner’s growing appeal among voters. His campaign events have drawn thousands of attendees as he promoted his populist platform and maintained a heavy advertising presence.
The age factor also emerged as a campaign issue, with some Democrats advocating for younger leadership within the party. Mills, at 78, is significantly older than the 41-year-old Platner, while Collins is 73.
Political analysts had initially expected Platner, rather than Mills, might be the candidate forced to exit the race.
Platner has faced persistent questions regarding a skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest that resembles Nazi symbolism, which he says he obtained during a drinking incident while on military leave in Croatia. He reports the tattoo has been modified to eliminate the problematic imagery. He has also addressed criticism over controversial statements in past online posts, which he has since rejected.
However, Platner’s openness about addressing these past issues appears to have strengthened his standing with voters.
