After about 45 minutes of Gov. Janet Mills’ final State of the State address, about a dozen Republicans had heard enough.

In the wake of an applause line in which Mills touted her push for the state to fund Planned Parenthood — a villainous organization to many Republicans — GOP lawmakers started to walk out.

“Nobody’s making you stay,” Mills said through a smile.

Mills took the fight to her political opponents during her hourlong address Tuesday, prompting raucous reactions from both sides of the aisle.

Republicans booed the governor throughout the night. Once her speech was over, a GOP leader said, “Evil is at work here at the State House.” Democrats responded with standing ovations and howls of approval.

The fiery performance could have been mistaken for a campaign speech.

Mills, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against progressive firebrand Graham Platner, said federal authorities seeking to harm Mainers will have to “come through me.” At one point, she declared that America has “No Kings,” the mantra of those protesting President Donald Trump’s second administration.

Throughout her speech, she repeated a refrain of “You’re welcome” as she recounted her administration’s accomplishments.

Maine’s low fatality rates and economic recovery after COVID-19? Broadband internet access to anyone who wants it? Direct checks to help residents deal with inflation and high heating costs? Targeted tax relief? Free community college?

“You’re welcome,” Mills repeated, gesturing toward grim-faced Republicans who only offered a standing ovation when the governor noted it was her last State of the State address.

Republicans, who have been in the minority throughout Mills two terms in office, were especially vocal about their displeasure in the final stretch of Mills’ speech, when she blamed Maine’s high electricity rates on the state’s over-reliance on fossil fuels.

GOP lawmakers, who have repeatedly blamed renewables for inflated energy costs, booed. Democrats applauded.

“That was like the British House of Commons for a second there,” Mills remarked to the Democratic leaders seated next to her, referring to the notoriously raucous lawmaking body in the United Kingdom.

Tensions rose as Mills turned to health care. She touted her record expanding Medicaid, and pushed further, calling for universal health care. And she railed against the recent expiration of the enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

Mills’ most biting line of the night came when she criticized Republican stances on two major cultural war issues: Abortion and transgender rights. Republicans have said keeping transgender athletes out of girls sports is a way to protect female athletes.

“You want to protect women and girls, then fully fund health care for women and girls, and fully fund domestic violence shelters, and fully fund sexually assault services,” Mills said.

After Mills criticized the Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by Trump, Rep. James Thorne, R-Carmel, questioned whether Mills was giving a State of the State or a campaign speech.

“You bet it is, Jim,” Mills replied. “It’s the State of the State because everyone in this room has to deal with health care. … What’s happening in Washington is putting huge burdens on all us of trying to do the humane thing and keep people alive and healthy. It’s basic human rights.”

After the speech, Republicans condemned the tone and substance of Mills’ address in the strongest possible terms.

“This was substantially worse that I could have ever imagined,” Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle, said. “Evil is at work here at the State House. It’s alive and well, and it’s got a really strong foothold in the Democratic Party.”