Governor Janet Mills of Maine is reminding voters that she remains on the ballot as pressure mounts for Democratic front-runner Graham Platner to withdraw due to various scandals that could impact the Democratic Party's chances in the Senate race. Mills, who suspended her campaign in April, is contemplating a return to the race ahead of the upcoming primary on Tuesday.
A source close to Mills's campaign reported that constituents are encouraging her to fully re-engage in the race. Platner, who has faced controversies including a Nazi tattoo and explicit messages sent while married, has been leading in fundraising and polling.
Recent allegations from former girlfriends have described Platner's behavior as toxic. This news coincided with his visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with senators to address concerns about his character. Senator John Fetterman stated that the decision between Mills and Platner is ultimately up to Maine voters.
Despite the ongoing scandals surrounding Platner, Mills has not actively sought to restart her campaign until recently, drawing criticism from some Democratic commentators. Mills will appear on the ballot, but early voting began on May 14, shortly after she suspended her campaign.
If Platner wins the primary, he has the option to withdraw his candidacy by July 13, which would allow the state Democratic Party to select a replacement. However, it remains uncertain if Mills would be the preferred nominee, as she has a significant cash disadvantage compared to incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
Other Democratic candidates are also running for various offices in Maine, including former state House Speaker Hannah Pingree and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Representative Jared Golden has stated he is not interested in running for Senate.
