{"id":2498871,"date":"2025-10-14T17:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T21:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/janet-mills-endorsed-by-challenger-who-dropped-out-of-senate-race\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T17:02:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T21:02:36","slug":"janet-mills-endorsed-by-challenger-who-dropped-out-of-senate-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/janet-mills-endorsed-by-challenger-who-dropped-out-of-senate-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Janet Mills endorsed by challenger who dropped out of Senate race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjanet-mills-endorsed-by-challenger-who-dropped-out-of-senate-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2498871&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Maine Governor Janet Mills has officially launched her campaign for teh 2026 U.S. Senate race, aiming to challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Shortly after announcing her bid, Mills received an endorsement from former Democratic Senate candidate Dan Kleban, who withdrew from the race to support her. Kleban criticized Collins for not adequately addressing key issues such as housing,healthcare,and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >rising living costs<\/a> in Maine,expressing confidence in Mills&#8217;s ability to prioritize Mainers&#8217; needs.<\/p>\n<p>Kleban had entered the race last month focusing on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/secy-pompeo-calls-for-release-of-chinese-citizen-journalist\/\" title=\"Secy. Pompeo calls for release of Chinese citizen journalist\">environmental issues<\/a> but decided to suspend his campaign due to timing concerns. Wiht his exit, the Democratic primary now includes candidates like Maine oysterman Graham Platner, Jordan Wood (former aide to Rep. Katie Porter), David Costello (a former Maryland state environmental official), and Mills herself.<\/p>\n<p>Mills&#8217;s candidacy was encouraged by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer amid efforts to recruit strong Democratic contenders. However, her entry has sparked a generational divide within the party, with younger Democrats like former DNC co-Vice Chairman David Hogg endorsing Platner instead of Mills. This intraparty dynamic reflects the tension between established politicians and emerging grassroots candidates.<\/p>\n<p>following Mills&#8217;s entry, the cook Political Report changed Maine&#8217;s Senate race rating from &#8220;lean Republican&#8221; to &#8220;toss-up,&#8221; signaling increased competitiveness as Collins seeks a sixth term.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Janet Mills gains endorsement from challenger who dropped out of Senate race<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2372800\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Hours after launching her campaign in next year&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maine<\/a> Senate race, Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/janet-mills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Janet Mills<\/a> (D-ME) was endorsed by former challenger Dan Kleban, who ended his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/campaign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">run<\/a> to back her.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier Tuesday, Mills announced her intent to campaign against Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME), who is running for reelection next year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3849612\/mike-johnson-volume-democrats-shutdown-bring-it\/\">Johnson turns up volume on Democrats in shutdown standoff, telling them to &lsquo;bring it&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3849545\/david-hogg-endorses-janet-mills-challenger-maine-senate-race-age\/\">David Hogg endorses Janet Mills challenger in Maine Senate race, citing age<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3848859\/janet-mills-maine-senate-run-generational-clash-democrats\/\">Janet Mills&rsquo; Maine Senate run sets up generational clash among Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In ending his campaign, Kleban<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mainebeerbrewer\/status\/1978161471826559439\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> said<\/a>, &ldquo;Today, I am announcing that I am going to suspend my campaign for the U.S. Senate and enthusiastically endorse Governor Janet Mills.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our country is at a crossroads. Susan Collins is not doing what&rsquo;s right for the state of Maine, and hardworking Mainers are literally paying the price &mdash; housing, healthcare, groceries, utility bills &mdash; they&rsquo;re all too high and they&rsquo;re getting worse,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;I believe Governor Mills will win next year, and she&rsquo;ll put Mainers first by addressing these pressing issues.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kleban joined the crowded Senate race last month as a Democrat focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-waives-ethics-rules-for-former-lobbyists\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Waives Ethics Rules For Former Lobbyists\">environmental advocacy<\/a>. In making that announcement, he leaned heavily on his experience as the owner of Maine Beer Company since 2009.<\/p>\n<p>Over a month later, he said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/band-of-bros-male-podcasters-defined-2024-but-female-influencers-could-shape-2026-washington-examiner-a-new-wave-of-right-wing-women-is-redefining-culture-and-targeting-the-youth-vote-ahead-of-202\/\" title=\"Band of Bros: Male podcasters defined 2024, but female influencers could shape 2026 - Washington Examiner A new wave of right-wing women is redefining culture and targeting the youth vote ahead of 2026.\">timing wasn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t right for his campaign and thanked his supporters.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not done fighting for the state I love, and I&rsquo;ll be looking for every way possible to keep doing what&rsquo;s right for Maine,&rdquo; Kleban concluded.<\/p>\n<p>With the political newcomer&rsquo;s exit, that leaves Maine oysterman Graham Platner, former Rep. Katie Porter&rsquo;s congressional aide Jordan Wood, former Maryland state environmental official David Costello, and Mills in the Democratic primary.<\/p>\n<p>Mills&rsquo;s entry in the race was expected, given that Senate Minority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3849545\/david-hogg-endorses-janet-mills-challenger-maine-senate-race-age\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">endorsed Platner<\/a> instead on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Hogg&rsquo;s endorsement highlighted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3848859\/janet-mills-maine-senate-run-generational-clash-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Democrats&rsquo; intraparty battle<\/a> between older establishment politicians and younger, more energetic grassroots outsiders.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3818508\/janet-mills-senate-challenge-susan-collins-maine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MAINE GOV. JANET MILLS LAUNCHES SENATE CHALLENGE TO SUSAN COLLINS, GIVING DEMOCRATS A PRIZED RECRUIT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Collins will try to hold on to her seat for a sixth term.<\/p>\n<p>Following Mills&rsquo;s announcement, Cook Political Report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/analysis\/senate\/maine-senate\/maine-senate-race-moves-toss-mills-entrance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">classified<\/a> the Maine Senate race as a &ldquo;toss-up.&rdquo; It was previously labeled &ldquo;lean Republican.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Janet Mills endorsed by former rival who quit Senate race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2498872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP24131099594303.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[13348,54091,34723],"class_list":["post-2498871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-endorsement","tag-janet-mills","tag-senate-race"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP24131099594303.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2498871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2498871"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2498871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2498875,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2498871\/revisions\/2498875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2498872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2498871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2498871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2498871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}