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◆ Mixed look for PlatnerElections / Campaigns

Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops US Senate bid ahead of June 9 Democratic primary against Graham Platner

With Mills out of the race, Platner became the expected Democratic front-runner against Susan Collins.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops US Senate bid ahead of June 9 Democratic primary against Graham Platner
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This article1 analysis · Oct 7, 2026

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Apr 30, 2026
tl;dr

Maine Gov. Janet Mills ended her U.S. Senate campaign, citing a lack of money, leaving Graham Platner as the expected Democratic front-runner against Sen. Susan Collins. The withdrawal reshapes a closely watched race as Democrats seek to win control of the Senate.

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Democratic Senate candidate and expected front-runner after Mills's withdrawal

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Maine governor and former Democratic Senate candidate

Mills's version of this story ↗
Kirsten E. Gillibrand
D · NY · SEN

Senator and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair

U.S. representative in a competitive Michigan Democratic Senate primary

State senator and candidate in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican U.S. senator from Maine and the incumbent targeted by Democrats

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States, whom Mills said she would stand up to

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Vermont senator who backed Platner

Martin Heinrich
D · NM · SEN

New Mexico senator who backed Platner

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader who backed Mills and said he would work with Platner

Democratic candidate in Michigan's Senate primary

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Massachusetts senator who backed Platner

Ruben Gallego
D · AZ · SEN

Arizona senator who backed Platner

Part of a bigger story

31 OUTLETS
Janet Mills Ends Senate Campaign as Graham Platner Emerges as Front-Runner

Janet Mills ended her Senate campaign, citing a lack of funds, leaving Graham Platner the expected Democratic front-runner against Susan Collins. Left-leaning outlets cast Platner’s rise as a test of progressive strength and a challenge to party leaders who backed Mills. Center outlets mostly track the race’s reshaping, with some noting broader tensions between party leaders and anti-establishment Democrats. Right-leaning outlets foreground scrutiny of Platner’s tattoo and past remarks, with some portraying Mills’s exit as a setback for Democratic leaders.

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