As Graham Platner battles fresh questions about his personal life ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic Senate primary, Maine Democrats have their eyes on his one-time opponent: Gov. Janet Mills.
Mills recently, not-so-subtly reminded voters she is “still on the ballot.” And whether Mills remains on the sidelines — and whether Democrats escalate a pressure campaign to force Platner out — could largely depend on how many votes Mills receives on Tuesday.
A strong showing for Mills could renew calls for Platner to step aside, while a commanding performance from the embattled Platner could help him put the scandals behind him — at least until Republicans relentlessly go after him.
But on the ground in Maine, of the dozens of voters who spoke to MS NOW since two press reports about his personal life — including allegations of sexting and “toxic” past relationships — most said they were sticking with Platner. And even as some expressed anxiety about the latest reports about the oyster farmer, some suggested they were more concerned that Mills couldn’t beat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
“Janet Mills, in a vacuum, would be a fine candidate,” Dennis Kiley of Mount Desert Island told MS NOW. “But at this point, I don’t know that she can beat Susan Collins.”
Kiley, who attended a get out the vote rally featuring Platner Friday in Bar Harbor, said he doesn’t believe Mills speaks “with the passion and the conviction that we are needing — not only to represent our state, but to represent our country.”
“I don’t think I’ll have any regrets,” he added.
Andrea Gabel-Richards of Lamoine, Maine, told MS NOW that it is not time to “jump ship.” She raised questions about the rollout of the stories so close to primary day.
“I wouldn’t give another look at Janet Mills now because she took herself out of the race, basically,” Gabel-Richards said.
Several voters, in defending their choice to stay with Platner, brought up Mills’ age. The governor is 78-years-old. Platner is 41.
“I didn’t always agree with her, but I think she really did the best she could for the state of Maine,” Democratic voter Lee Dillon told MS NOW.
“But I am very much like: ‘We need new blood,’” she added.
Don Snoke, who lives in Sullivan, Maine, told MS NOW he’d be “happy” to see Mills elected.
“But she’s as old as I am,” he said. “I’m too old for the job.”
And Michael Pancoe of Bar Harbor, Maine also invoked age when defended his support for Platner, saying, “He is young. He’s a terrific speaker. He is a macho guy.”
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Kevin Frey
Kevin Frey is a congressional reporter for MS NOW.