When Gov. Janet Mills announced the end of her fading U.S. Senate campaign on Thursday morning, responses from around the state came pouring in.
With the governor bowing out, it’s looking all but certain that Graham Platner will secure the Democratic nomination and face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in November. Other than Platner, the only Democrat remaining in the primary is David Costello, a Brunswick resident who is well behind in both polling and fundraising.
Many of the Democratic reactions Thursday congratulated Platner and declared him the presumptive nominee. The Democratic Party and associated groups — as well as many state and local politicians and office-seekers — lined up behind the oyster farmer and military veteran from Sullivan. But notably, Mills did not immediately endorse her former primary opponent.
On the other side of the aisle, Republicans took aim at both Mills and Platner, casting the former as an out-of-touch career politician rejected by voters and the latter as an extremist who they argued is unfit to represent Mainers.
Our live updates for the day have ended. Scroll through below for a recap of Thursday’s events.
Janet Mills not eager to endorse Graham Platner
A campaign spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills released this statement Thursday in response to questions about whether she would endorse Graham Platner for U.S. Senate:
“Governor Mills has never voted for Susan Collins, and she will not do so in this election either. As Maine’s Governor, she will continue to support Democratic candidates across Maine, and she will continue to hear and watch how Graham Platner works to earn the support of Maine voters, just as she will keep a close eye on Maine’s Congressional and Gubernatorial primaries as well.”
“The race has never been about me or really about one person. It’s about a movement of working Mainers who are fed up with being robbed by billionaires and the politicians who own them. We are now taking back our power. That is what this campaign is.
“We will defeat Susan Collins. We will go to Washington, and we will start tearing down the system that for too long has forgotten and written off the people who make Maine and this country what it is.
“People have said that this campaign came out of nowhere. But those people don’t know Maine. This movement came out of a lot of somewheres.
“From working waterfronts that have worked for far too long only to be pushed to the brink.
“From towns where the closest hospital is hours away.
“For workers who pay more in taxes than billionaires.
“For loggers who are just one mill closure away from bankruptcy.
“And for young people who want a home to call their own.
“And for seniors ready to demand the dignity they deserve.
“For decades this has taken, piece by piece, store by store, hospital by hospital, shore by shore, town by town. They have taken from us.
“And they took so much that they began to think that we didn’t exist at all. But they don’t know Maine. They don’t know the power that we have here.
“And we are taking back what is ours.”
Meanwhile, betters on predictive markets seem to think a Democrat will win in November.
Read more of our number-to-number breakdown.
With Platner out of the debates and Mills out of the race entirely, it wasn’t immediately clear Thursday afternoon whether any of the debates would go forward as planned. Costello had been expected to attend at least three of the debates, though his low poll numbers meant that he failed to qualify for a May 18 forum hosted by WGME and the Bangor Daily News.
The town hall, set to start at 4 p.m., was scheduled in advance of Mills’ announcement that she’s dropping out.
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Video by Kirby Wilson, politics editor, and Claire Tighe, deputy managing editor, digital strategy & transformation.
Mills also signed a law to shield providers of gender-affirming and abortion care from out-of-state prosecution.
“During her eight years as governor, she has accomplished more to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights than any other leader in Maine’s history,” the group said.
“Despite the constant attacks and the cruelty coming from Washington DC, Janet Mills hasn’t just spoken up, she has acted. She has been bold. She accomplished what was needed to ensure that people could access the reproductive and sexual health care they need, safely, and legally.”
The group had endorsed Mills in the Senate primary but did not mention Platner in its statement in response to her decision to suspend her campaign.
Maine Democratic Party ‘has lost its mind’, Republican U.S. senator says
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, criticized the Democratic Party on Thursday as the way was cleared for Graham Platner to become the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate.
“Democrats are rallying behind a self-described Communist with a nazi tattoo in Maine. The party has lost its mind,” Cotton wrote on X. “Susan Collins has spent her career standing up and delivering for Maine families. She’s ready to win this fight.”
Pingree did not mention Platner in her statement.
“While I know this decision was a difficult one, I trust her judgment — and know she’s doing what she feels is best for herself, her family, and the people of Maine,” Pingree said of Mills.
Platner’s campaign requested donations in an email that included remarks similar to his comments at an Augusta news conference Thursday morning.
“Together, we are going to defeat Susan Collins,” the email read. “Together, we are going to flip Maine blue. Together, we are going to take back the Senate for Democrats. Together, we are going to elect an oyster farmer to the United States Senate.”
Steve Collins: Can we take a moment to appreciate Janet Mills?
Columnist Steve Collins writes about Mills’ legacy and leadership, particularly during the Lewiston mass shooting. Read his piece here.
“I endorsed Graham in February because I saw in him the same thing Bernie Sanders did: a progressive champion with the guts to take power back from the corporate oligarchs who’ve dominated our political system for way too long,” Jackson wrote on X.
State Auditor Matt Dunlap described Mills as a strong leader and friend and colleague but said in a statement on social media that Platner is “now the clear choice.”
“I cannot wait to join him in Washington and get to work for the families, workers, and communities we both grew up serving. It’s time for progressives and Democrats to get behind him and get get to work,” Dunlap said in his statement.
State Sen. Joe Baldacci of Bangor stopped short of endorsing Platner but wrote on social media that “it is vital that our party keep our eye on the prize — a resounding win up and down the ticket.”
“I look forward to doing my part to defeat Paul LePage while helping our nominees for Senator and Governor to ensure we don’t give away your Social Security, Medicare, or tax dollars to the rich,” Baldacci wrote.
The National Republican Congressional Committee criticized the three Democrats’ posts in a statement. Committee spokesperson Maureen O’Toole described Platner as a “thug who hates the police and loves Nazis.”
“Their support for Platner is appalling, and Mainers won’t stand for it,” O’Toole said in the statement.
Platner appeals to Mills supporters over shared goal: Beating Susan Collins
Platner said Thursday he and Mills entered the race for the same reason: to beat Susan Collins. That remains his message for would-be Mills voters.
“We all, at this moment, need to come together,” Platner said. “And so I very much, very much ask them to support us.”
When Geiger heard Platner speak about his own time in the service, she became a supporter on the spot.
“My feet aren’t even on the ground,” Geiger said. “We are at a tipping point in Maine, and in this country.”
“Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Graham Platner are bold progressives who believe in our state and its people and aren’t afraid to fight for what’s right,” the MPA said in a news release this week.
Since then, Warren has been excited to see Platner call out money in politics and criticize politicians he says use public institutions to enrich themselves.
Warren found Platner’s critiques incisive and since then has been heavily involved in his campaign.
“It’s been very DIY. Punk rock, almost,” Warren said. “It’s been an awesome opportunity for me to meet people who have strong values and care about the public health.”
He said in a written statement Thursday that Mills has been “an excellent governor” and wished her well. He said he has no intention of dropping out of the race.
“I look forward to continuing to offer Mainers a well-rounded and experienced option in the race to replace Senator Collins in the US Senate,” he said.
Platner ends remarks on a hopeful note
As Platner closed his news conference Thursday morning after receiving endorsements, volunteers were elated.
Platner said — after catching up on some sleep — he’s ready to keep running a campaign based on accessibility to defeat Susan Collins.
Pingree, who led the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future for six years under Mills, thanked the governor for her leadership.
“I’m grateful for her record of service to the Maine people,” Pingree said.
Democratic lawmakers speak in support of Platner at Augusta news conference
Platner was joined at his Augusta news conference by several Democratic state lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono; Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast; and Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, all of whom he thanked for their support.
“Graham is the type of leader we don’t see often enough,” Milliken said. “He tells the truth even when it’s hard and uncomfortable.”
Watch: Platner speaks at Augusta news conference
Platner and a group of his supporters, including many state Democratic lawmakers, spoke in Augusta at an 11 a.m. news conference about the state of the Senate race now that Mills has dropped out.
“The Maine Democratic party is neutral in primaries and will be proud to support our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, along with our nominees in races up and down the ballot,” Murphy-Anderson said.
Platner’s campaign prepares for news conference
Seven campaign volunteers are standing at the back of the room holding signs as Platner’s team prepares for his appearance in the Parlor Room at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta.
Platner’s remarks will be livestreamed on his Facebook page.
Democratic super PAC announces support for Platner
A major Senate Democratic political action committee announced Thursday that it will support Platner’s bid, declaring that Collins “will be defeated in November.”
“Her years of voting against Maine families have left her in the weakest and most vulnerable position of her career,” Lauren French, a spokesperson for the Senate Majority PAC, said in a written statement. “In contrast, Graham Platner has brought a new energy to the campaign, and we will continue our fight to defeat Collins with him as the presumptive nominee.”
Lewiston mayor thanks Mills
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline expressed gratitude for Mills in a statement Thursday morning, describing her as a “true leader for our times.”
“I deeply appreciate her service as governor,” Sheline said in a written statement. “Lewiston loves you.”
“I, along with the nation, were inspired by her bravery when she told Trump she’d see him in court,” Bellows said, referring to a tiff Mills had with Trump last year over Maine’s policy allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports in a way that aligns with their gender identity.
Bellows said she will work with Platner to defeat Collins and “win big” in November.
Collins issues statement on Mills suspending campaign
Collins put out a short statement Thursday morning reacting to Mills’ announcement.
“I’m sure this was a difficult decision for Gov. Mills, and I thank her for her decades of service to the people of Maine,” Collins said.
Platner will speak on state of the race in Augusta and Lewiston
Platner will hold news conferences in Augusta at 11 a.m. and Lewiston at 3 p.m. to announce new endorsements and speak on the state of the Senate race now that Mills has dropped out.
The news conferences will be livestreamed on the campaign’s Facebook page. Maine Trust for Local News reporters will also be on the ground at both events to share updates.
Maine Republican Party jumps at opportunity to criticize Platner
The Maine Republican Party highlighted Collins’ role chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee in a news release Thursday, saying she “represents all Mainers and cares deeply for our state.”
“Option 2 is the racist, Nazi-sympathizing fake blue-collar Graham Platner, who is more concerned about promoting his dangerous ideologies than serving the hardworking people of Maine,” said Maine GOP Chairman Jim Deyermond.
Charles highlighted declines in education outcomes and increases in cost of living under Mills as examples of where her administration has fallen short. He said there are “rising public safety concerns” in communities across Maine and that the government is “driven by far-left political priorities and pandering to the trans lobby rather than practical solutions.”
“In November Susan Collins, a proven leader with an indisputable record of delivering for Maine, will face a Nazi sympathizing self-proclaimed communist with a record of hate-mongering and dishonesty,” said RNC spokesperson Kristen Cianci. “It’s safe to say we are confident going into Election Day.”
Schumer and Gillibrand said they will work with “presumptive nominee” Graham Platner to fight for a Senate majority.
“Democrats are dedicated to fighting back against the chaos of the Trump administration by defeating the Republicans who enable his harmful agenda and that includes Susan Collins,” they said.
National Republican Senatorial Committee blasts Platner
Predictably, the campaign arm of the U.S. Senate Republicans criticized Graham Platner, who’s almost certain to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
“Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats just coronated a phony who is too extreme for Maine. Susan Collins has always put in the work for her constituents and delivered. Washington Democrats always fall short in Maine and will again, because they just nominated a dishonest radical,” said NRSC Chairman Tim Scott in a statement.
Nirav Shah, Democratic candidate for governor, endorses Platner
Moments after Mills’ announcement, Nirav Shah, a top contender in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, endorsed Platner.
“I’m proud to endorse @grahamformaine for US Senate. Mainers deserve a strong voice in DC, and Graham will be that. Defeating Susan Collins is vital to ending the Trump/GOP grip on Washington, and Graham is the one to do it,” he wrote on X.
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