In a surprising development, Democratic Governor Janet Mills of Maine announced on Monday that she remains a candidate in the U.S. Senate race, despite having suspended her campaign in April. Mills clarified her position on X, stating, “People have the impression that I withdrew or dropped out, but I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot.”
Mills had previously suspended her campaign due to financial constraints, although she expressed a deep commitment to her political goals, saying, “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.”
“PEOPLE HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT I WITHDREW OR DROPPED OUT, BUT I SIMPLY SUSPENDED ACTIVE CAMPAIGNING. I AM STILL ON THE BALLOT.” — JANET MILLS
Her decision to re-engage comes amid controversy surrounding her fellow Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who has been criticized for personal conduct issues. Mills, who has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, remains on the ballot as she did not complete paperwork to nullify her candidacy with the Maine Secretary of State.
“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.” — JANET MILLS
According to a recent University of New Hampshire poll, Mills is currently at 10% support among voters, trailing behind Platner. During her tenure as governor, Mills has faced criticism for expanding taxpayer-funded health care to illegal immigrants and for not vetoing a bill limiting state law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
