The governor aims to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in a high-stakes race
Maine Governor Janet Mills has officially announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, setting up a challenge against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. The race is expected to be a key contest in the Democratic Party’s broader effort to regain control of the Senate.
Mills, who turns 78 in December, highlighted her record as governor, including expanding Medicaid coverage, increasing funding for public education, and protecting reproductive rights in the state. She also cited her public confrontation with former President Donald Trump earlier this year as a defining moment that influenced her decision to enter the race.
A crowded Democratic primary
Internal divisions reflect the party’s shifting dynamics
Mills joins a competitive Democratic primary field that includes several other candidates, such as Jordan Wood and Graham Platner, the latter endorsed by independent Senator Bernie Sanders. Both represent a more progressive wing of the party and have criticized the recruitment of establishment-backed candidates.
Despite internal tensions, Mills expressed confidence that her leadership experience and record of policy achievements will resonate with voters. “My life’s work has prepared me for this fight, and I’m ready to win,” she said in her campaign launch.
Historical and political challenges ahead
If elected, Mills would become the oldest first-time senator in modern U.S. history. The last time Democrats won a Senate seat in Maine was in 1988, underscoring the uphill battle she faces. Still, political observers believe that the current political climate and growing demand for experienced leadership could make this race one of the most consequential in the upcoming election cycle.
