UMVA has learned that Maine Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her Senate campaign earlier this year, has spoken out in a stunning move, reminding voters that she remains on the ballot and potentially throwing her support behind Democrats seeking to unseat 30-year incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
Mills' comments, made to a local columnist, have sent shockwaves through the Maine political landscape, where her former primary rival, Graham Platner, continues to grapple with a string of controversies that have left many questioning his viability as a candidate. Despite being the heavy favorite heading into the primary, Platner's scandals have raised eyebrows among Democrats and Republicans alike.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Mills dropped a potential bombshell by suggesting that Democrats could still vote for her, despite her campaign being on hold. "People have the impression that I withdrew or dropped out," Mills said. "I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot."
Mills' comments come as Platner faces intense scrutiny over his "Totenkopf" chest tattoo, a symbol used by German Nazi concentration camp guards, and a separate controversy involving a consultant who asked a sports media personality to collaborate on an anti-private-equity campaign against the Boston Red Sox front office. The consultant's request was met with resistance due to Platner's Nazi tattoo.
Platner has also faced criticism for defending himself after a Reddit post resurfaced in which he called a former Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial candidate a "dumb motherf----er" for being badly wounded in a Taliban siege. Platner's remarks have sparked outrage among some voters, who are increasingly troubled by his scandals.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that an increasing number of female independent and Democratic voters in Maine are growing uneasy with Platner's controversies, which could potentially harm his campaign. Meanwhile, Mills' campaign account sprang back to life on June 1 with a post commemorating Pride Month, highlighting her continued commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
As the primary approaches, Maine voters are faced with a difficult decision: stick with the incumbent, Susan Collins, or take a chance on one of the challengers. With Platner's scandals and Mills' surprise comments, the stakes have never been higher in this pivotal Senate race.
