Janet Mills, 78, is the outgoing Maine Governor who served two terms (2019-2027). Born in Farmington, she co-founded the Maine Women's Lobby in 1978 to advocate for abuse survivors. She served as district attorney for three Maine counties, Maine Attorney General (2009-2011, 2013-2019), and Maine House Representative. Mills was recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and national Democratic leaders to run for Senate. She entered the race in October 2025, pledging to serve only one term. Her campaign emphasizes her executive experience and track record of standing up to President Trump, particularly over transgender athlete protections in schools.
Mills was born in Farmington, Maine. She co-founded the Maine Women's Lobby in 1978 after witnessing the criminal justice system's failures in handling abuse cases. She earned a law degree and became a prosecutor, then district attorney for three Maine counties. She served in the Maine House of Representatives before her attorney general tenure. As governor, she won statewide elections by increasingly larger margins (7 points in 2018, 13 points in 2022), demonstrating strong electoral appeal in a Democratic-leaning state.
Mills argues her experience and electoral track record outweigh age concerns
At 79 when she would take office, Mills would be the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history. She won her 2018 gubernatorial race by 7 points and her 2022 reelection by 13 points. However, some Democrats worry about her age and generational appeal.
Voting History: N/A - Executive branch, not legislative voting record
Mills is the Democratic establishment's preferred candidate
Recruited by Chuck Schumer and backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). This establishment support has drawn backlash from progressive Democrats and supporters of her primary rival Graham Platner.
Voting History: N/A
Campaign emphasizes biography and broad themes over detailed policy
Critics note Mills' campaign website lacks a dedicated policy page comparable to Platner's detailed platform. Her campaign focuses more on her experience and electability argument.
Voting History: N/A
Mills has no Senate voting record, having served as state attorney general and Maine governor. However, her gubernatorial record shows executive action on healthcare expansion, reproductive rights, and standing up to Trump administration.
Mills' social media maintains a more traditional, establishment-oriented tone compared to Platner's grassroots activism. Her posts emphasize her record and qualifications, with increasing negative content attacking Platner's past. The tone is more cautious and politically calculated than Platner's fiery populist messaging.
Mills posted 'for what it's worth, I don't have any tattoos' in apparent reference to Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo controversy
Part of Mills' strategy to highlight Platner's past controversies as part of her electability argument
Released multiple TV ads featuring women reading Platner's 2013 Reddit posts downplaying sexual assault, with women calling him 'disqualifying'
Mills shifted to aggressive negative advertising against Platner, making his controversial past statements a central campaign issue
Mills represents establishment politics that has failed Maine
Platner and his campaign position Mills as an establishment-backed politician who benefits from DC insider support, while Platner runs as an anti-establishment populist candidate.
Both Mills and Platner are committed to a 'radical socialist agenda'
The RNC characterized the Democratic primary as a contest between 'extreme vs. more extreme,' attempting to tie both candidates to socialism.