BREAKING: The Democratic Governor of Maine just announced her campaign to defeat Susan Collins. This is huge.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

This is great news. Governor Mills is very electable

Link to tweet

[eShirl]

1. The more the merrier.

[Vinca]

2. I like Gov. Mills, but in all honesty, I think we should be installing the next generation of leaders.

My only thought on this is when the Democratic vote matters - November 2026 - all Democrats support whoever wins the primary. No stay-at-homes, no third parties, no hissy fits because "your" candidate isn't on the ballot.

[temporary311]

3. I'm sure she's been a decent governor

but given the issues we've had with aged politicians the last few years, I'm not sure sending a soon-to-be octogenarian is the best idea. Certainly not when there are other good candidates who aren't a decade+ past retirement age.

[dsc]

24. Eve could have been her midwife

and I would be fine with her.

[Cha]

58. Gov Janet Mills is a "very popular Gov".. Maine

Re Elected Sen Angus King last year who is 81.

The Race "Turned to Toss Up from Leans gop when she entered.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Maine Senate Race Moves To Toss Up With Mills' Entrance

Mills is clearly more electable than any other candidate

Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ entrance into the Senate race on Tuesday marks a significant escalation in political firepower aimed at longtime GOP Sen. Susan Collins. We are moving the contest from Lean R -> Toss Up.

— The Cook Political Report (@cookpolitical.com) 2025-10-14T13:38:17.516Z

https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/maine-senate/maine-senate-race-moves-toss-mills-entrance

Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ entrance into the Senate race on Tuesday marks a significant escalation in political firepower aimed at longtime GOP Sen. Susan Collins, the only Republican senator representing a state carried by then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. For the first time since she was elected in 1996, Collins could face off against a sitting statewide officeholder who, like her, has a proven track record of outperforming the presidential ticket of her party.

Mills, of course, does not have a clear path to the nomination, and there is no guarantee that she will win it. But she is a top-tier recruit in a field that currently lacks a well-known or well-established candidate. And while Collins has defied electoral expectations for decades, the political environment today is more polarized than ever, which makes Collins’ ability to effectively straddle partisan lines more challenging.

As such, we are moving the contest from Lean Republican to Toss Up.

There are several other Democrats in the race, but oyster farmer and first-time political candidate Graham Platner appears to be Mills’ most serious

[eShirl]

6. Maybe we should look at all the potential candidates before we declare the winner.

Just in case there's other good ones too.

[EdmondDantes_]

7. How much of that is simple name recognition?

There should be a primary.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. Primaries are healthy

Let the Democratic Candidates make their argument to the party voters in Maine.

[muriel_volestrangler]

69. A lot, according to a recent poll

2) Voters are split on their views of Janet Mills. Mills has a 48-45 job approval rating
(including 30% that strongly disapprove) and a 47-43 favorability rating (including 29%
that have a very unfavorable view of her). She has a 40-51 approval rating among
independents.

3) Less than half of voters have heard of Graham Platner. Platner has a 21-9
favorability rating, with 15% saying they are neutral toward him, and 55% saying they
don’t know enough about him to form an opinion. About three-in-four are unfamiliar with
two other Democratic candidates (74% for Jordan Wood and 79% for Dan Kleban).

4) In the initial ballot, Platner and Collins start out tied, and Mills holds a 5-point lead
over Collins. In the initial ballot test, Mills leads Collins 42% to 37%, while Platner and
Collins are tied at 38%. Collins has about the same share of the vote against both
candidates.

5) After respondents see short biographies for both Democratic candidates, Platner
leads Collins by 14 points, and Mills leads Collins by 8 points. Post-bios, Platner
leads Collins 48-34, a net gain of 14 points from the initial ballot, and Mills leads Collins
44-36, a net gain of 3 points from the initial ballot.

https://perfectunion.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/More-Perfect-Union_-Maine-Senate-General-Election-Benchmark-Poll.pdf

[leftstreet]

5. She's almost 80 n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

9. Bernie is pushing

84 or 85. That asshole Grassley is in his 90's and wants to run again.

[leftstreet]

10. 1 term, then a GOPer grabs her seat

Bernie and Grassley aren't running to turn a seat blue, and keep it blue, in Maine

She'd be 84 starting her reelection campaign

[QueerDuck]

12. In today's political climate, it will be an easy-flip... afterwards, it will be easier to KEEP blue than to FLIP blue...

under any other "normal" circumstances. We need warm-bodies NOW in the Senate, we need our numbers up NOW. It makes little sense to me to not pursue the obvious easy advantages that we get by shifting the balance of power in the Senate rather than dismissing her as a one-term "placeholder" Senator who's not worth considering or supporting, based on the belief that someone "better" and "younger" might come along who could hold the seat for more years.

I'm very happy to hear this news.

[leftstreet]

13. There's no evidence for that. But okay n/t

[QueerDuck]

15. No evidence for the prediction of "1 term, then a GOPer grabs her seat" either. But okay.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. This is a bird in the hand... let's keep it. Let's do all we can re-establish a Senate majority NOW... we can worry about who's "too old" to run for reelection later.

[leftstreet]

16. LOL We'll fix it later n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

18. Nope

We won't be returning to the Status Quo when this regime falls.

[QueerDuck]

44. Exactly! Now you're catching on... we can't "fix it" if we're not in the majority...

and right now, we are NOT in the majority. We need to be, so that's the priority.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. It is what it is

I'll leave it up to the people of Maine. We can't assume that our country is going to look anything like it did January 19, 2025 in 6 months - or 6 years.

I'm already in a place of the Electoral Rules are no longer in place. Then again - I've lived in NJ for 20 years and I've picked up that 'anything can happen' optimism.

[W_HAMILTON]

34. Better than no term and another six years of Susan Collins.

[QueerDuck]

81. Sadly, for many, purity and youth are all that matter...

no matter how much it harms the party or the country... all in the name of purity... and virtue signaling.

[Torchlight]

14. Insightful n/t

[meadowlander]

71. Susan Collins is 72 - no spring chicken either.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

78. Wow. She's looked 80 for at least a decade.

[rzemanfl]

72. Bookmarking.

[Pris]

93. Ageism

[leftstreet]

105. Nonsense

There is no prejudice or stereotyping here in terms of her mental fitness or abilities

The issue is longevity and duration of service

Good grief

[sheshe2]

11. this is great news, LMPV.

TY.

[JustAnotherGen]

19. How quickly we've gone from

Primaries are healthy -

To - But she's 'so old'. Over it. It's almost like people don't want to win:

Then Dominate.
Then RULE.

[leftstreet]

20. How's that working out?

How are the octogenarians in Democratic leadership DOMINATING and RULING ?

Bless Schumer and Pelosi's hearts, but their world of polite, professional, pragmatic negotiating with a like-minded Republican party is OVER

Trump and MAGA have brought us extreme partisanship and the need to motivate dwindling voter bases

Times have changed

[JustAnotherGen]

22. Times haven't changed enough for me

And it will probably go FAR beyond what you want in terms of change.

Like most Black women I know? I'm sitting and sipping tea with my girls and enjoying it all being BURNED down.

This way we can re-make America in our image and beliefs. Amerikkka is dead -

A new day is coming. Mark me on that.

[whathehell]

109. Nor for most here..

That said, I'm curious as to what constitutes "all" of what you're enjoying "being burned down".

[sheshe2]

84. Ah! The old she's 'so old' canard.

Women are known to outlive men on average.

[gulliver]

21. Electability is more important than age by far

We need seats. We need to win elections. If there are younger candidates who want to get somewhere, they need to make themselves electable.

[Ars Longa]

23. I like Janet Mills, let them put in the legwork, have good fair primary debate(s),

and then Mainer's will decide.
However,IMO she is in for a much tougher primary fight with Graham Platner
than she and the DSCC think! I hope all can come together afterwards.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

25. Governor Mills addresses the age issue

Meiselas: What do you say to people who say while Governor Mills has been a great governor, she’s 77 years old, and we need younger leadership?

Mills: It’s a fair point… But I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t do everything I can to reverse what’s going on in Washington

— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) 2025-10-14T15:30:35.908Z

[betsuni]

39. Behind the "BUT OLD": insinuation of a Grand Canyon-like policy/character divide depending on age.

Assumption (never give the benefit of the doubt, jump right in) that Olds are establishment centrists clinging to ego-power-money while Youngs have exciting new ideas no Democrat has ever thought of before, like universal health care and higher wages and more equality (excuse me for a moment, ).

[AZProgressive]

73. Why don't the establishment centrists push for universal health care?

Instead they push "strengthening Obamacare" as a counter to universal health care but when the ACA was first passed we were told that it was a stepping stone to medical for all that we could improve on it later.

What is wrong with Graham Platner is my question? The main reason why I'm against Janet Mills is as governor she vetoed a plan to close a juvenile prison and the thinking that we need to lock kids up is outdated thinking.

[betsuni]

95. There are many good books about American politics and the difference between the two parties and

what Republicans have done to stop progress.

[Skittles]

74. it's a good answer

I too am tired of the same old same old, I wish they would pass the baton already but right now you gotta do what you gotta do to combat fascism

[jaymac]

97. wow

she's had some work done! just look at the pics of her this past year.........
and remember she will choose the corporation's side over people's every time.

[SheltieLover]

26. Excellent!

[carpetbagger]

27. Graham Platner is a very electable and promising candidate.

I appreciate what Democratic governors have done in standing up to Trump. But that doesn't necessarily translate into being an effective voice in the Senate, where the script doesn't place the politician in the role of an independent power center like a governor. Platner is promising, and he likely does as well as Mills after the first set of ads run. And Platner would be more effective at building the party, as Mills won't be in the 2032 class.

[W_HAMILTON]

35. He has no political experience -- is that right?

Im sorry, after getting burned by self-proclaimed """progressives""" with little to no history of actual progressive accomplishments, I'm not too keen on supporting an unproven newcomer like that over a popular Democrat like Mills that has already proven she can win a state-wide race.

[Cha]

48. And, it doesn't translate into Not being

an effective vote in the Senate.

We'll see what happens

[DoBW]

83. Bernie endorsed Platner ...

and Bernie's "Fight the Oligharchy" tour has been potent. Platner's has good traction in his campaign. Mills' popping up is weird

[Fil1957]

28. What about Graham Platner? He's even more electable. Mills is pushing 80 and is 5 years OLDER than

Susan Collins. This sums up everything that is wrong with the Democratic party establishment. I guess they feel it's "her turn". They need to wake up and smell the coffee. And how 'bout passing the baton once in a while?

With a few notable exceptions, elderly Democratic politicians ought to get out of the way, make room for the next generation and stop engaging in these vanity projects. Haven't they heard of retirement? Isn't there more to life than working till you drop? Don't they have any outside interests like hobbies, etc.?

[W_HAMILTON]

40. There absolutely zero indication Platner is more electable.

I don't even think Platner had ever been elected to anything, much less being more electable than the sitting governor of his state.

The fact that Cook moved this race to a toss-up after Mills announced her candidacy -- but not after Platner announced his -- is even further proof of this.

And older Democrats could get out of the way if the younger generation would put in the effort they did and were ready to have the baton passed to.

After getting burned by Fetterman, I'm sorry, but "I support Sanders and Sanders supports me" is not a good enough reason to vote for someone.

We progressives need to vet our self-proclaimed progressive candidates better and one way to do that is by them cutting their teeth on lower office before they decide to run for one of the most important political offices in the country.

[muriel_volestrangler]

70. Evidence in reply #69

A poll where, once a mini-bio of each candidate was given, Platner gets a larger lead over Collins than Mills does. So he has a year to get known.

[AZProgressive]

75. Fetterman was easy to vet

I saw red flags when he wanted to stop wearing masks and send kids back to school sooner than most people. He also supported continuing Title 42 which was supposed to be a Covid policy so that alone showed he was a hypocrite.

There was also the jogger case.

[Cha]

49. ".. a few notable exceptions.. "? Who might they be?

I think Gov Janet Mills is One of those Notable Exceptions"..

[Torchlight]

102. What should the cut-off age be to run?

And on what objective standard is that number measured on?

[SpankMe]

29. Angus King, the other Maine US Senator, is 81

He's an Independent who caucuses with Democrats and was just elected. His term goes thru 2031 - for cripe's sake!

[delisen]

41. Looks like Maine isn't afraid of age and experience.

[Torchlight]

30. One of her first acts as governor was to sign an executive order

to carry out the expansion of Maine's Medicaid program, and in 2022, she green-lit Maine state supplemental budget, which included free community college for students of the class of 202-23.

I know very little about her or her state, but upon first reflection she seems a solid candidate.

[Cha]

51. Gov Mills sounds Progressive! TY!

[Easterncedar]

96. Mills is not progressive, but a solid middle. Good executive. Stands her ground. A leader.

But I prefer Platner. Although skeptical at first, burned by hopes of Fetterman, I keep hearing good things from and about him. He is a progressive.

[Cha]

110. Gov Mills has Won 2 State Wide Elections..

I prefer her over Planter.

I like her Accomplishments and her Style.

[Easterncedar]

112. No argument. She got us through the pandemic

With the wonderful Dr. Nirav Shah. I will always be grateful to her for appointing him.

[BlueTsunami2018]

31. Sure, another ancient establishment candidate.

Can’t have a guy like Platner. Young, progressive, ready to buck the corporate system. Why would we want that?

[Cha]

53. Maine Re Elected Sen Angus King last Year

who is 81... did ya roll your eyes at him?

There's more to be electable than being young.

[BlueTsunami2018]

62. At what point do we go to new blood?

Yeah, I roll my eyes at a lot of these people. Entrenched status quo politicians are why the Democratic Party has such low approval ratings. Among other things.

[Cha]

67. At the Right point and the Right People...

Since Gov Mills entered the Race Today it "Turned from leaning gop to a Toss Up".

She's a Popular Gov and "name recognition" for a Good Reason.

Personally from way out here on Kauai.. I don't like anyone that thinks they can win by "bashing Dems"

[travelingthrulife]

106. I like Platner. I do appreciate that Mills was one of the first to stand up to Trump.

Not my state though. Certainly happy to see Susan gone.

[Midwestern Democrat]

116. When the party literally no longer has the choice not to. NT

[jaymac]

99. yeah, but

we have paid attention when he speaks in committee, or in interviews or in town halls. ideas mean more to us and mills is just out of them.
unfortunately mills is not in any way like king.......age aside.

[mainer]

32. Mixed feelings about this.

Janet has been great and right now she's feisty and energetic. But that age thing is an issue. I'm supporting her for now, but Graham Platner is the one getting everyone excited. I just want this primary to stay collegial, and I'm worried Platner will be too hostile.

[leftstreet]

50. If Mills took on some progressive policies...

...would she walk away with the primary?

And no I don't know which ones Mainers might go for

It's generally wages, healthcare, immigration, taxing billionaires, etc

[Cha]

57. The Race just Turned to Toss Up with

Gov Mills entering the Race.. from being "Leans gop.."That's exciting to me.

Mainers Re Elected Sen Angus King last year.. who is 81 as you know.

Not in Maine but this Race has the whole Country Interested in getting a Dem Senator Elected!

[IronLionZion]

33. Susan Collins should be concerned

2026 is likely to be a blue wave for Dems considering how things are going.

We need good Dems running everywhere.

[Fichefinder]

36. Can we find someone a little older, please?

[leftstreet]

38. LOL

[Torchlight]

46. The reality show mindset can dominate the shallows

[Cha]

54. Maine Did... Last Year they Re Elected Sen Angus

King who is 81.

[DFW]

37. I think the OP had the key word: ELECTABLE

Yes, her age, her age. I get it. She's not a teenager. But you saw her TV ad. She's not Chuck Grassley, either. She is a formidable speaker who wins elections.

I saw an article about Plattner, who is touted to be her main opponent. How predictable are we gonna get, here? Collins AND the Democratic Party are "proxies for corporations and wealthy interests that have used the political system for enrichment?" Wow, it's a good thing that I'm not a Maine Democrat, as I would NOT appreciate being labeled a "proxy for corporations and wealthy interests." Do we HAVE to use these slogans for the 596th time before people get turned off and tired of hearing them?

This is still the state that elected Susan Collins and Paul Le Page. We forget that at our peril. Fine, the choir is listening. But they aren't the only Democrats voting in this primary, and they sure as hell aren't only ones voting in the General Election next year, and we need ALL of them on board, or Maine's next senator will be a Republican. THEN you get your proxy for corporations and wealthy interests. Congratulations. The "no difference" crowd can go celebrate without me.

[betsuni]

43. Calls himself a New Deal Democrat (used to be FDR Democrat) as if FDR wasn't a liberal Democrat

he was democratic socialist and the Democratic Party has no idea what New Deal policies are because corrupt blah blah blah. Again! As we have seen, this has never worked. Sounds like same Justice Democrats/Our Revolution PACs. Make it stop.

[Cha]

59. Wow.. Thanks for That.. I knew I didn't like

GP.

There was a Poster on here a little while ago who said he was donating to him but then he kept bashing Dems so much he stopped.

[BidenRocks]

42. Time For a Real Logan's Run'?

I see the sentiment turn against the older folks.
First we're slow.
Then we old speak in proper English.
We write in complete understandable sentences.
Now I see the start of the purge.

Get rid of old people!

Over 70? Soylent!

Now Get Off My Lawn!

[Picaro]

45. Have gotten 3 fund raising texts from her already

These texts are making me crazy.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

65. I have gotten snarky fundraising ads from both David Hogg and Plantar

They seem worried

[Cha]

47. WOW! Brilliant Campaign Vid!.. TY Gov

Janet Mills and LMPV for Posting This!!

💙

[Trueblue Texan]

52. Great ad!!

Boy she kicks Susan Collins' ass in this ad! Deservedly so!

[Cha]

61. Yes Gov Mills Did! Susan Collins All Cozying UP

to that Dictator Monster.

TY!

[Jilly_in_VA]

55. I like her a lot, BUT

she's 79 already. If I lived in Maine, I'd probably vote for the other guy...what's his name, Graham Platzner? I've liked what he's said alrerady.

[dlk]

56. Let the hand-wringing about Mills's age begin

Never mind she’s tough and accomplished.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

60. The DSCC and Janet Mills have formed a joint fundraising committee together.

This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[aeromanKC]

63. Gov. Mills is a proven statewide winner!!

Stand Up!!

[liberalla]

64. That was a kickass ad!

I'd gladly vote for her!

If I lived in Maine!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

66. Mills launches her Senate bid with 'no promises' to Schumer

Mills is clear that she has made no promises to Chuck Schumer

Mills launches her Senate bid with ‘no promises’ to Schumer | Semafor
www.semafor.com/article/10/1...

— Subconscious Proxy (@subconsciousproxy.bsky.social) 2025-10-14T16:35:34.435Z

https://www.semafor.com/article/10/14/2025/mills-launches-her-senate-bid-with-no-promises-to-schumer

Chuck Schumer may hope Maine Gov. Janet Mills wins the Democratic nomination to run against Susan Collins next fall, but Mills is still starting off by keeping her distance from him.

If Mills makes it to the Senate by navigating a tough primary and then beating Collins, she says Schumer will need to prove he’s worth her support to remain Democratic leader.

“Nobody in the state of Maine has asked me about Chuck Schumer. And I’ve actually met with him only once in my life, seven or eight months ago. And I’ve made no promises, no commitments, to anybody running for leadership,” Mills told Semafor in an interview.

“My vote is not guaranteed to Senator Schumer or anybody else; they’ll have to earn it,” she added.

The two-term governor’s decision to run for the Senate seat will no doubt cheer Schumer — and it instantly makes Maine’s campaign into one of the most important in the nation. First Mills will test whether Democrats have changed their electability calculus by taking on a crowded primary field, including 40-year-old oysterman Graham Platner, who opposes Schumer as leader.

[Cha]

68. I guess that's smart.. Too bad Sen

Chuck Schumer has just a bad rap.. he does a good job in the minority but he's the "boogey man"..

[Cha]

87. Speaking of Sen Schumer.. Here's AOC giving

him Props.. him & Rep Jeffries. :patriot

AOC: 'Republicans have been getting walloped by Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer'

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220695607

TY

[RSH]

76. What about .

Graham PLATNER. He sounds great and Bernie endorsed him. That's all I need to know!!!!!!!

[ALBliberal]

77. Listened to a Meidas interview with her today

I am very impressed. She’s a young 77. Fearless. And vows to only serve one term. She will win.

[Norrrm]

79. Susan Collins' personal integrity

Susan Collins was a 'right time, right place' candidate...
She was in a three person primary race and so far back she could not even see the other two candidates' tail lights.

The millionaire candidate sponsored an investigation of the evangelist candidate who got run out of a southern state because he was boinking his twelve year old babysitter.

The millionaire denied his involvement but the public turned against both him and the evangelist, leaving Susan Collins as the sole remaining candidate.
------------------
"I pledge that if I'm elected I will only serve two terms..."

[LetMyPeopleVote]

80. Dan Kleban is suspending his campaign for Maine Senate seat

Kleban is the brewery owner

Link to tweet

[Cha]

85. TY & Dan Kleban! Great Endorsement for Gov Mills!

[North Coast Lawyer]

82. not good

The old guard of the Democratic Party have shown over and over that they are unable to adapt to the new political reality we find ourselves in. I really wish that the establishment would support and nurture our young talent -- cause:

Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

[Cha]

86. I think it's Very Good! The Race Turned to Toss UP

when Gov Mills announced her candidacy... she's a very progressive and popular governor.

Has won State wide Elections.. and She'll Fight for Mainers!

[North Coast Lawyer]

113. for how long

Her fight can last at maximum only a few more years.

[Cha]

115. Gov Mills has Won 2 State Wide Elections... she

and Sen Angus King, who is 81 and was Reelected Last Year, will be Brilliant for Maine.

[North Coast Lawyer]

117. We can thank them for their service.

But its time for the old guard to get out of the way and let younger people take the reigns.

BTW I'm 61 years old -- I know how hard it is to stand down. However, standing down is something all us old folks need to do.

America is full of great young people. We dinosaurs need to proudly facilitate their ascendance.

[Cha]

119. It's not the age.. it's the person and what

they have to offer.

Just because someone is young means nothing on what they can accomplish.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

94. How to identify young talent?

This is an honest question. Not a slam or a strawman.

How do you identify young talent for political leadership? And what is the right level to blood them in American politics?

The only thing I know about Plantner is what I just read on Wikipedia. Sounds like an interesting guy. I admit I am biased towards military backgrounds but know they are no guarantee of leadership potential. His positions mostly seem reasonable.

But he has never stood for office and never been elected. We have no idea how he will perform in a political context. Should his introduction to elected office be the US Senate?

I think Pete B has performed at both the local and national level so I could easily support him for a Senate run. I think the same now with AOC. I could see her moving into the Senate if she could convince enough rural/non-NYC voters in New York to elect her.

For political novices like Plantner, it seems that a local office or state legislative office might be a better context in which to learn the political trade - both getting elected and actually performing the job. I think the US Senate is too high stakes and high demand for a complete novice. Even a seat in the US House would be a better starting point - somewhat lower stakes.

How can we best grow our young politicians into effective legislators and leaders?

Somehow, I don't see throwing them into the deep end is the best answer.

[North Coast Lawyer]

114. new talent is always peculating up

New talent is always peculating up. Young people like AOC and Mamdani are all over the place. Our leadership needs to stop holding them back and start facilitating their rise.

[phylny]

88. I live in Virginia and have already gotten three separate texts just today

from her campaign asking for donations.

[soldierant]

89. Sorry, Janet.

I'm not in Maine, but if I were, my vote would go to the oyster farmer

[whathehell]

104. Sorry, soldierant..

but since you're not in Maine, I doubt that Janet much cares.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

91. Governor Mills was great on The Last Word tonight

Link to tweet

[Morbius]

92. Okay.

She's old, and that's not ideal. But she fights the good fight, and right now we need every soldier we can get. I can't afford to send her any money, but she has my good wishes.

[Susan Calvin]

98. She's showing up in my Facebook feed, even though I am in Texas.

The comments are running about 9 to 1 again, and almost everybody mentions Platner.

[MaineNative]

100. This guy - Graham Platner

is on my radar. He's drawing standing room only crowds at his speaking events. I hope he speaks at the Portland protest on October 18th, No Kings. The UAW just endorsed him. Check this out.

[PunkinPi]

101. Glad to see this.

Weird how no one has mentioned that Platner worked for Constellis (formerly Blackwater)...

[Vogon_Glory]

103. Good luck to any Democrat who turns Susan Collins out of office

Susan Collins’ fan dance should have ended years ago.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

107. Emily's List has endorsed Governor Mills

While Susan Collins bows down to Trump, Maine Gov. Janet Mills is fighting back and winning. She's always fought for a better future for the people of Maine, and now, she'll take that fight to the U.S. Senate. That's why we're thrilled to endorse Gov. Mills for election to the U.S. Senate today.

— EMILYs List (@emilyslist.bsky.social) 2025-10-14T13:57:43.843Z

[Cha]

111. Good to Know... TY & Emily's List!

[RandySF]

108. Mills has my support.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

118. Governor Mills raised $1 million in first 24 hours

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

120. Former Maine lawmaker resigns from Graham Platner's campaign over Reddit posts

This will be an interesting primary contest

Link to tweet

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/17/politics/elections/former-maine-lawmaker-resigns-graham-platner-campaign/

The political director for Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign resigned Friday after Platner’s past online posts featuring numerous controversial remarks resurfaced this week.

Former state Rep. Genevieve McDonald of Stonington was one of the most prominent Maine Democrats who joined Platner’s campaign after a buzzy August launch saw the Sullivan oysterman and military veteran draw national attention in addition to big crowds at his town hall-style rallies. She sent her resignation letter exclusively to the Bangor Daily News.

The past week has dealt Platner, 41, the biggest test yet in his nascent campaign, and it coincided with Gov. Janet Mills joining the Democratic primary Tuesday for the chance to take on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in 2026. McDonald’s exit showed discord among the campaign that includes many progressive strategists from out of state.

CNN first reported Thursday on since-deleted posts Platner made a few years ago on Reddit that included Platner calling rural, white Americans “racist” and “stupid” and describing all police as “bastards.” Other old posts suggested violence is necessary to achieve social change, according to Politico’s reporting.