Janet Mills Launches Senate Bid to Unseat Susan Collins

Mills Enters High-Stakes Senate Race in Maine

On Tuesday, Maine Governor Janet Mills made headlines by formally announcing her campaign for the United States Senate. At 77, Mills is not only the oldest candidate in the field but could become the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history if elected. Her entry instantly reshapes the Democratic landscape in Maine, where the contest to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins is widely considered one of the most crucial battles of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

Mills, who has held the governor’s office since 2019 and previously served as Maine’s attorney general, brings deep political experience and recognition to the race. Her announcement comes after months of speculation and subtle hints, including a quickly deleted X post last Friday that many interpreted as an accidental campaign launch.

Democratic Hopes and Mills’ Unique Position

National Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have long viewed Mills as their preferred contender to challenge Collins, a five-term senator who has been a fixture in Washington since 1997. Mills’ reputation for standing her ground—highlighted by her recent public confrontation with President Donald Trump over federal funding for Maine—has added to her appeal among party strategists.

In her campaign launch video, Mills did not mince words: “I’ve never backed down from a bully, and I never will.” She directly accused Collins of letting “bullies like Trump have their way,” and made a call to voters: “Folks, do you want Democrats to take back the Senate? Well, I’m Governor Janet Mills, and I am running to flip Maine’s seat blue.” With that, she asked supporters to contribute $5 to her campaign, signaling a grassroots approach in a race expected to draw national attention and funding.

A Crowded Democratic Field and Progressive Pressure

Mills’ path to the nomination is anything but clear. Unlike other high-profile Democratic recruits this cycle—like former Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio and former Governor Roy Cooper in North Carolina—Mills faces a competitive and crowded primary. At least three other Democratic candidates have declared their intention to remain in the race, regardless of Mills’ entry: former Capitol Hill aide Jordan Wood, brewery owner Dan Kleban, and oyster farmer Graham Platner.

Platner, in particular, has gained traction among progressive voters and made waves since launching his campaign over the summer. He’s drawn large crowds at campaign events and raised over $4 million, a notable feat in Maine politics. Platner’s campaign has also attracted the attention of national progressive leaders, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently urged Mills to step aside and called for Democrats to unite behind Platner. Sanders argued, “Susan Collins is absolutely beatable… it would be a really sad state of affairs to have to spend millions of dollars on a divisive primary. We should be focusing on beating Susan Collins, and Platner can do that.” (NOTUS)

The Stakes: Maine’s Senate Seat in the National Spotlight

This race carries enormous stakes for both parties. Currently, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats and the presidency, meaning Democrats must gain a net of four seats in 2026 to win back a majority. Maine’s Senate seat is the only Republican-held seat up for grabs next year that was carried by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024—a fact that has made it a top target for the party’s strategists (The Maine Monitor).

Yet, history is not on the Democrats’ side: Maine has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982. While Angus King caucuses with the Democrats, he is officially an independent, underscoring just how rare a Democratic victory in the state would be. Mills’ candidacy thus represents both a chance to break a decades-long trend and a test of whether a well-known, established politician can unite an increasingly diverse and energetic Democratic base.

Challenges Ahead: Unity, Messaging, and Momentum

For Mills, the challenge is twofold: first, to secure the Democratic nomination against a field energized by progressive activism, and second, to mount a campaign capable of defeating a seasoned incumbent like Collins. Her appeal to unity and her promise not to back down resonate with voters wary of divisive politics, but the presence of strong primary challengers means that her campaign will need to work hard to build coalitions and earn trust across the party.

Meanwhile, Republican strategists are watching closely, ready to capitalize on any fractures within the Democratic camp. The contest will likely be defined by debates over federal funding, healthcare, climate policy, and the role of Maine’s senators in shaping national policy—issues that have long animated voters in the state.

With months to go before the primary, Mills and her rivals will be crisscrossing Maine, making their case to voters in town halls, local events, and digital platforms. The campaign promises to be one of the most closely watched in the country, not just for its implications in Maine but for the balance of power in Washington.

As Janet Mills steps into the Senate race, she faces a political landscape both familiar and transformed. Her experience and resolve may prove assets, but the real test will be whether she can inspire and unite a party eager for change in a state where history weighs heavy on every ballot.