{"id":2611128,"date":"2026-06-05T14:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-clock-is-ticking-on-janet-millss-shadow-campaign\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:51:10","slug":"the-clock-is-ticking-on-janet-millss-shadow-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-clock-is-ticking-on-janet-millss-shadow-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"The clock is ticking on Janet Mills&#8217;s shadow campaign"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fthe-clock-is-ticking-on-janet-millss-shadow-campaign%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=2611128&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>Gov. Janet Mills is urging Maine voters to remember she remains on the ballot amid growing pressure for Democratic front-runner Graham platner to drop out as repeated scandals mount. Mills suspended her campaign in April and is weighing whether to fully re-enter ahead of Tuesday\u2019s primary, with supporters reportedly contacting her to encourage a return.<\/p>\n<p>Platner, a progressive oyster farmer, has faced controversies including a reported Nazi tattoo and allegations involving explicit messages, and the latest report from The New York Times adds new claims from former girlfriends describing his relationships as \u201ctoxic.\u201d Democrats are concerned because the party is trying to win a crucial Senate race against Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Sen. John Fetterman says voters-not party leaders-should decide whether Platner stays in.<\/p>\n<p>Critics argue Mills hasn\u2019t meaningfully restarted her effort and has appeared less energetic than Platner, who has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >drawn larger crowds<\/a>. Even if Platner wins the primary, Maine law would allow him to withdraw by July 13, letting the state Democratic Party choose a replacement-though it\u2019s unclear whether Mills would be the front-runner, especially given her much smaller war chest ($700,000 vs. Collins\u2019s nearly $10 million).  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) is reminding <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine<\/a> voters she remains on the ballot as pressure mounts for Democratic front-runner <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> to drop out as each successive scandal jeopardizes Democrats\u2019 chances of flipping a crucial <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> race. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mills, who suspended her campaign in April, is flirting with the idea of stepping back into the race ahead of Tuesday\u2019s primary. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596721\/abdul-el-sayed-uaw-support-over-primary-rivals-michigan-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrat Abdul el Sayed clinches UAW support over primary rivals for Michigan Senate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4595526\/can-low-t-talarico-attacks-work-ask-tim-walz\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Can \u2018Low-T\u2019 Talarico attacks work? Ask Tim Walz<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596217\/graham-platner-women-abuse-allegations\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner insists abuse allegations \u2018simply not true\u2019 as scandals continue to pile up<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A source close to Mills\u2019s campaign said on Friday that \u201cpeople across Maine are reaching out to tell her they\u2019re voting for her and encouraging her to get fully back into the race,\u201d according to reports. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner, a progressive oyster farmer who boxed Mills out of the race after establishing healthy leads in fundraising and polling, has faced a slew of controversies ranging from having a Nazi tattoo to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anthony-weiner-humiliated-loses-comeback-race-to-man-with-same-name-as-infamous-pedophile-rapist\/\" title=\"Anthony Weiner Humiliated, Loses Comeback ... to Man with Same Name as Infamous Pedophile, Rapist\">sending explicit messages<\/a> to other women while married. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest scandal, reported by the <em>New York Times<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/woman-who-accused-andrew-cuomo-of-sexual-harassment-finally-details-allegations\/\" title=\"Woman Who Accused Andrew Cuomo Of Sexual Harassment Finally Details Allegations\">details allegations<\/a> from former girlfriends, who described Platner\u2019s behavior in the relationships as \u201ctoxic\u201d and \u201cemotionally wrenching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The news, which broke the same week Platner barnstormed Washington, D.C., to meet with senators in an attempt to assuage concerns over his character, has roiled the Democratic Party as it stares down a must-win race against Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME).  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) stopped short of saying Platner should drop out of the race but told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that voters in Maine will make their own decision between the governor and Platner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s their call, not mine,\u201d Fetterman said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it might be too little. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mills has not taken meaningful steps to reignite her campaign, and even while active on the trail, she lacked the energy compared to Platner, who routinely attracted large crowds at rallies. She\u2019ll appear on Tuesday\u2019s ballot, but early voting began May 14, while Mills suspended her campaign at the end of April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even as new Platner scandals broke weekly, Mills has shown little interest in restarting her bid until this week. The will-she-won\u2019t-she act drew criticism from influential Democratic commentators. Tommy Vietor, co-host of <em>Pod Save America<\/em>, rebuked Mills in a post on social media Friday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t get what Mills is doing here,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TVietor08\/status\/2062906908592476317\">wrote<\/a> Vietor. \u201cRun or don\u2019t run! Everyone is worried about this race and desperate to win it, but her response throughout has just been to half-ass her way through it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if Platner were to win Tuesday\u2019s primary, as he\u2019s favored to do, Mills has one final prayer. Maine law permits Platner to withdraw his candidacy by July 13, allowing the state Democratic Party to choose his replacement. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s not clear Mills would be the front-runner to become the nominee. She had roughly $700,000 on hand in her campaign account as of the last filing period, per FEC records, and would have a significant cash disadvantage to Collins, who had nearly $10 million on hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Mills\u2019s campaign for comment. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596159\/golden-rules-out-replacing-platner-on-ballot-amid-scandals\/\"><strong>GOLDEN RULES OUT REPLACING PLATNER ON BALLOT AMID SCANDALS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are also a number of Democratic candidates running for other offices in Maine, such as former state House Speaker Hannah Pingree, Angus King III, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former state Sen. Troy Jackson, all of whom are running for governor, who could possibly be viable candidates. Pingree is the daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and King is the son of Sen. Angus King (I-ME). <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>on Thursday he was not interested in running for Senate. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this report<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gov. Mills stays on ballot as Platner scandals threaten Democrats\u2019 Senate push<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4316,"featured_media":2611129,"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\/12\/MixCollage-16-Dec-2025-10-05-AM-6687.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[51159,54091,60748],"class_list":["post-2611128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-gubernatorial-election","tag-janet-mills","tag-massachusetts-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MixCollage-16-Dec-2025-10-05-AM-6687.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611128","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\/4316"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611128"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611132,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611128\/revisions\/2611132"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2611129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}