Mills quits Maine Senate race leaving Democrat novice in running

Maine Governor Janet Mills withdrew from the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, citing insufficient campaign funding despite being the preferred candidate of national Democratic leaders. Political newcomer Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Marine veteran and oyster farmer, had consistently led Mills in polls and raised $3 million in his campaign's first seven weeks, earning endorsements from both progressive and centrist Democrats. Mills' campaign struggled with concerns about her age—she would have been the oldest first-time senator at 78—and failed to gain traction against the younger Platner, whose populist message resonated with voters seeking generational change.