Maine Gov Janet Mills suspends bid for Senate Democratic nomination, says campaign out of money

Mills' campaign struggled against her Democratic challenger, Graham Platner. She said she lacked the financial resources to continue her bid for Senate.

By Kevin Killough

Published: April 30, 2026 9:26am

Updated: April 30, 2026 10:03am

Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that she's ending her bid to win the state's Democratic nomination for Senate, saying her campaign has run out of money, amid low polling numbers.

"While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources," Mills said in a statement.

She trails primary rival Grant Platner by 22 points, according to the most recent RealClearPolitics.com polls average.

Mills' campaign rested on a platform of opposing President Donald Trump, but it struggled to resonate with Democrats in the state, The Washington Post reported.

Mills had the support of Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer. Platner, is an oyster farmer and first-time candidate. He will now likely face incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins in the General Election.