Maine Gov. Janet Mills Withdraws from U.S. Senate Race Amid Primary Challenge

By Liz Goodwin

*Washington Post*

May 1, 2026

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced her withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins on April 30, 2026, conceding the Democratic primary to Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer with no prior elected experience. Mills, whose gubernatorial term ends this year, had entered the race in October 2025, citing her administration's legal challenges to federal actions under President Donald Trump.

The decision came nearly six months after her campaign launch, following reports of limited fundraising success and subdued support from some Democratic voters. Platner, who announced his candidacy in August 2025, had drawn crowds with his focus on economic issues and criticism of political elites. Internal polling and donor feedback contributed to Mills's assessment that she could not close the gap, according to individuals familiar with her campaign.

Mills's Senate bid was framed around her response to Trump's Executive Order 14201, signed on February 5, 2025. The order directed federal agencies to enforce Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. Specifically, it barred transgender females—who were assigned male at birth—from participating in women's and girls' sports teams receiving federal funds, positioning the measure as a clarification of Title IX's protections for biological females. Non-compliant states faced potential loss of funding.

Maine's policy at the time permitted students identifying as female, regardless of biological sex, to compete in girls' sports categories, drawing national attention. In February 2025, state Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn), a Republican, posted a photo on social media of a transgender female student who had competed in a track and field event, highlighting concerns over competitive fairness under Title IX. The post gained traction in conservative outlets, where critics argued it exemplified violations of sex-based protections. Libby was later censured by the Democrat-led Maine House of Representatives for the post.

Trump's order prompted federal reviews of Maine's compliance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a freeze on certain school nutrition funds, while the Department of Education initiated proceedings to withhold K-12 funding. Additionally, approximately $50 million in federal grants to Maine universities were paused or terminated in April-May 2025 due to policies allowing transgender females in women's sports, according to administration statements and court filings. Three federal agencies launched Title IX investigations into Maine schools within days of the order's implementation.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey filed lawsuits challenging these actions. In one case involving USDA funds for school breakfast and lunch programs—serving about 172,000 students—a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the cuts. The Trump administration later agreed to restore the funds contingent on Maine dropping the suit, though broader investigations continued.

Collins, seeking a sixth term, advocated for restoring some funds, including those related to Social Security data contracts and marine research, as reported by The Washington Post in 2025. Mills, in a March 2026 interview, said she was unaware of Collins's specific involvement.

These events formed the backdrop for Mills's Senate announcement. In her launch video, she highlighted the legal victories, stating, “We stood up to Trump and stopped him from cutting the school lunch program for Maine kids.” Campaign merchandise featured the phrase “See you in court,” referencing her reported exchange with Trump.

Prior to the order, Mills had been a relatively popular governor, particularly for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state approval ratings from that period. She had not positioned herself as a prominent figure in Democratic opposition to Trump during his first term. Allies, including Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), encouraged her to challenge Collins, who has held her seat since 1997 despite multiple Democratic challengers.

Schumer told Mills she was the strongest candidate to unseat Collins, according to people familiar with the discussions. Collins's moderate record has enabled her to win reelection in a increasingly Democratic-leaning state, securing 51% of the vote in 2020.

By the time Mills entered the race, Platner had established momentum. His August 2025 launch video emphasized economic struggles in Maine, blaming “billionaires and corrupt politicians” for middle-class decline. A former Marine, Platner described himself as targeting an “oligarchy” and positioned himself as an outsider.

Platner's campaign attracted progressive voters despite controversies. Deleted Reddit posts from years earlier contained anti-gay slurs, which he later called “indefensible” and for which he apologized publicly. Reports also noted a chest tattoo that some observers said resembled a Nazi symbol, though Platner denied any such intent. Supporters largely dismissed these issues, focusing on his anti-establishment message.

Mark Brewer, a political science professor at the University of Maine, attributed Mills's challenges partly to her late entry. “The problem is she waited too long,” Brewer said. “She let the moment pass.”

Voter sentiment shifted among some who initially praised Mills. Becca Low, a 51-year-old sales worker from Brunswick, posted support for Mills on Facebook after the federal disputes, writing, “THAT’S MY GOVERNOR.” Low later endorsed Platner, saying of Mills, “She’s willing to stand up to Trump. She would not be willing to stand up to Schumer.” Low expressed frustration with the Democratic Party's “status quo.”

At a June 2025 public radio event in Portland, the audience applauded when Mills's attendance was noted, reflecting enthusiasm among liberals at the time. Her office received notes of appreciation following the funding disputes.

Friends had advised Mills against the race, urging retirement after her service. Lynn Bromley, a former state senator and Mills ally, recounted friends saying, “‘Janet, this is hard. Look what you’ve done for Maine, you deserve to go to your camp and fly fish.’” Bromley, speaking at a March 2026 Mills event, added, “I’m just really tired as a woman of hearing — let’s just say it — a man telling me how he’s going to fight for me when there’s a woman who’s done it and will continue to do it.”

Age differences factored into perceptions: Mills is 78, Platner 41. Some Mills supporters suggested gender bias played a role, noting a hypothetical female novice might not gain similar traction.

Heather Cox Richardson, a Maine-based historian with a large liberal following, advised Mills before federal meetings and described primary voters' preferences: “They want a bomb thrower, and Mills is not a bomb thrower.” Richardson, a friend of Mills, noted, “Governance is slow and it involves a lot of expertise. And it’s just not terribly flashy.”

Mike Hurley, former mayor of Belfast, Maine, observed that “people who speak respectfully” are often overlooked, while “angry people get action.”

Platner emphasized systemic change in an interview shortly before Mills's withdrawal: “It’s not enough to just be like, ‘We’re going to fight Donald Trump so we can protect the system.’ People want to fight the system.” He contrasted himself with Mills's approach, drawing sharper lines against Republicans.

On the transgender sports issue central to the federal disputes, Mills equivocated in a March 2026 interview. Asked if she supported transgender girls competing in girls' sports, she initially described it as a “political issue” raised by Republicans. Pressed further, she said, “Sports are very important for all kids and we should encourage kids to play in sports, not discourage any group in particular.” Platner has opposed bans on transgender girls in girls' sports, calling them “culture war distractions.”

The race highlighted tensions within Maine Democrats between establishment figures and insurgents. Mills's campaign struggled with fundraising; federal filings showed Platner raising more from small donors early on. A March 2026 event for Platner in Kittery drew supporters for trivia night, underscoring grassroots energy.

Collins welcomed the primary developments, telling reporters she expected a “vigorous” general election. Polls prior to Mills's exit showed Collins leading both candidates, though within the margin of error.

Maine's Senate contest is rated a Toss-up by the Cook Political Report, pivotal for Democrats' hopes of reclaiming the majority. The state, which supported Biden in 2020 but Trump in the 2024 popular vote nationwide, remains competitive.

Mills plans to focus on completing her term, including budget negotiations and coastal resilience projects. Platner advances to face Collins in November.

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