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.