On Thursday, Democratic Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, announced the suspension of her campaign for the U.S. Senate. This decision paves the way for Graham Platner, a progressive candidate, to challenge five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins in the upcoming November election.
In her statement, Mills expressed her determination and dedication, stating, “While I possess the drive, passion, commitment, and experience needed for this race, I unfortunately lack the one critical component that political campaigns demand today: financial resources.” She continued, “Today, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate.”
Mills, who is 78, served two terms as governor and has a background as a state lawmaker and Maine attorney general. Her candidacy was initially seen as a strong Democratic contender against Collins, having received endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and influential left-leaning organizations such as EMILY’s List and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Despite these endorsements, Mills consistently lagged behind Platner in polls leading up to the June 9 Democratic primary. This was true even amidst controversy surrounding Platner, a 41-year-old Marine veteran, due to his prominent skull-and-crossbones tattoo. The tattoo bears resemblance to the “Totenkopf” emblem associated with the Nazi SS.
Platner, who leads a Maine oyster farming business and is the grandson of modernist architect Warren Platner, has clarified that he acquired the tattoo during a 2007 drunken escapade while on leave in Croatia, unaware of its fascist connotations.
Platner, the head of a Maine oyster farming operation and grandson of modernist architect Warren Platner, has claimed he got the tattoo during a drunken 2007 outing while on leave in Croatia and had no knowledge of its fascist links.
In November of last year, Platner had the death’s head concealed with a tattoo of a Celtic knot with a dog jumping out of the image.
Mills argued she was the best candidate to stand up to President Trump, noting she told him she would see him in court last year after the administration pulled federal funding amid a dispute over transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
However, Platner’s relative youth and good standing with the populist Democratic left wing — he’s backed by Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — proved better selling points to campaign donors.
Democrats are eyeing the Maine Senate seat as their easiest potential pickup in the November midterms. Collins, 73, is currently the only Republican to represent any of the six New England states in the House or Senate.
“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,” RNC spokesperson Kristen Ciani said in a statement.
“It’s safe to say we are confident going into Election Day.”
