Janet Mills endorsed by challenger who dropped out of Senate race
Janet Mills gains endorsement from challenger who dropped out of Senate race
Hours after launching her campaign in next year’s Maine Senate race, Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) was endorsed by former challenger Dan Kleban, who ended his run to back her.
Earlier Tuesday, Mills announced her intent to campaign against Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who is running for reelection next year.
In ending his campaign, Kleban said, “Today, I am announcing that I am going to suspend my campaign for the U.S. Senate and enthusiastically endorse Governor Janet Mills.”
“Our country is at a crossroads. Susan Collins is not doing what’s right for the state of Maine, and hardworking Mainers are literally paying the price — housing, healthcare, groceries, utility bills — they’re all too high and they’re getting worse,” he added. “I believe Governor Mills will win next year, and she’ll put Mainers first by addressing these pressing issues.”
Kleban joined the crowded Senate race last month as a Democrat focused on environmental advocacy. In making that announcement, he leaned heavily on his experience as the owner of Maine Beer Company since 2009.
Over a month later, he said the timing wasn’t right for his campaign and thanked his supporters.
“I’m not done fighting for the state I love, and I’ll be looking for every way possible to keep doing what’s right for Maine,” Kleban concluded.
With the political newcomer’s exit, that leaves Maine oysterman Graham Platner, former Rep. Katie Porter’s congressional aide Jordan Wood, former Maryland state environmental official David Costello, and Mills in the Democratic primary.
Mills’s entry in the race was expected, given that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pressured her to run in the 2026 election cycle. Despite an aggressive recruiting effort made by the top Senate Democrat, Mills has received opposition from former Democratic National Committee co-Vice Chairman David Hogg, who endorsed Platner instead on Tuesday.
Hogg’s endorsement highlighted Democrats’ intraparty battle between older establishment politicians and younger, more energetic grassroots outsiders.
MAINE GOV. JANET MILLS LAUNCHES SENATE CHALLENGE TO SUSAN COLLINS, GIVING DEMOCRATS A PRIZED RECRUIT
Meanwhile, Collins will try to hold on to her seat for a sixth term.
Following Mills’s announcement, Cook Political Report classified the Maine Senate race as a “toss-up.” It was previously labeled “lean Republican.”
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