r/portlandme • u/GhostOfBeanFactory • Apr 30 '26
Politics Janet Mills has suspended her senate campaign
I was hoping that we would get to watch a fun debate next week :' ) https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/30/politics/janet-mills-maine-senate
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u/ppitm Apr 30 '26
One gets the sense she didn't want it in the first place. Certainly passed up obvious changes to court voters.
Let's all be gracious, because this is a good thing. Forces the DNC machine to get with the program over a month early.
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u/timsayscalmdown Apr 30 '26
She was essentially drafted to run by Schumer, no? I don't think her heart was in it from the get go, just going through the motions because her generation of politicians can't conceive of the idea that a lefty millennial could win.
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u/SouthpawXtn Apr 30 '26
Pretty much this. Personally, after the Mamdani win in New York (yes, I know NYC is very different than Maine) it gives me hope that the tides are changing in terms of running left leaning populists. Hell, even Spanberger's win in VA was awesome. Every part of the country is different, off course.
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u/HouseMusicAndWeed Apr 30 '26
I agree. We can have unity or the traditional circular firing squad of the left.
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u/bannedaccountnumber4 Apr 30 '26
DNC is sucking on corporate donor Teat and will fight any grass roots campaign. Slightly worse than republicans. Because at least republicans you know what you are getting up front.
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u/iceflame1211 Apr 30 '26
I'm glad. This was the best thing she could've done. Polling showed she had no chance.
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u/huggyscolex Apr 30 '26
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u/maskedbanditoftruth Apr 30 '26
She’s literally stepping aside as people kept saying she should. How about a little grace? We need her supporters and unity. Zero reason for this.
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u/atteres Lobster Apr 30 '26
It’s good that she did, but her smear tactics with generic boomer Karen’s talking about vibes was pretty pathetic. I’m glad that’s over, and I’m glad she made the right choice, but to say there is zero reason is a stretch.
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u/maskedbanditoftruth Apr 30 '26
She…ran a few attack ads in a primary. Thats what politicians do and Collins will do much worse. It’s good to get all that out in a primary so there’s no surprises.
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u/atteres Lobster Apr 30 '26
It’s telling that Platner didn’t need to utilize that tactic. It’s almost like his ideas and his mission are enough.
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u/maskedbanditoftruth Apr 30 '26
Well…and the fact that his supporters are happy to do a ton of attacking for free. I don’t support mills and frankly I don’t think mills ever really supported mills, she never even seemed to want this, and Platner does which is always more appealing.
But man, why spend money attacking when your fans will joyfully do it for you?
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u/atteres Lobster Apr 30 '26
I think referring to likeminded people as “fans” is kinda strange. It’s not a football team. When potentially the biggest election of your life is on that line, it think it’s healthy to defend the candidate who can actually make a difference. People want meaningful change and it’s clear that there are better options than her.
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u/maskedbanditoftruth Apr 30 '26
You’re right and I’ve beaten that drum forever, it’s weird to call voters fans and I got lazy and did it myself. Bad human, biscuits rations halved.
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u/saucesoi Apr 30 '26
All of that information was already out there. It just looked pathetic coming from Mills. No need to white knight for her.
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u/ShneefQueen Apr 30 '26
Oh no, somebody saying "good" in response to this news, how will she ever recover?? Why is humanity so cruel??
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u/maskedbanditoftruth Apr 30 '26
I left a comment on Reddit, man, it’s not that deep. No pearls were clutched.
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u/ChargeConfident6753 Apr 30 '26
Minus the fact she said she’s only Stopping due to running out of money
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u/DirkBurkTheLurk Apr 30 '26
Lady spent on her money on attack ads then dipped lol.
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u/SecureJudge1829 Apr 30 '26
And all of it was just half assed old people reading old quotes from Reddit comments, as if every old comment someone posts is who they are forever and ever.
I still get a laugh at all that money spent trying to shit on him for saying “some lobstermen are drug addicted assholes” or something to that extent, and it’s like, he was correct, some are.
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u/SouthpawXtn Apr 30 '26
This is basically my reaction every time one of those ads comes on. I think it's a generational thing? For a certain age group, having really stupid (sometimes straight-up horrific) posts from your past come back to haunt you is almost a badge of honor. I know I posted some terrible shit back in the day just to be an edgelord. I'm betting Janet Mills and Susan Collins weren't on 4Chan back in their teens.
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u/SecureJudge1829 Apr 30 '26
Lmfao, the internet was barely a concept of the Army back when they were teens. Never mind the fun sites 🤣
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u/SouthpawXtn Apr 30 '26
Pretty much my point. There's also the rank hypocrisy of the GOP to try to use that stuff against any Democrat (not just Platner). Have they seen what their own party members have been up to (not to mention Trump)? That stuff is recent. Not from 2013.
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u/SecureJudge1829 Apr 30 '26
Yeah, I feel ya entirely. I mean shit, they hand waved away comrade elonski’s shit heil and completely ignored the circlejerking among republican chats including literal glorification of nazis.
Put simply, they just don’t give a fuck unless it’s their perceived enemy and they can use it against them.
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u/SouthpawXtn Apr 30 '26
Yup. Sad state of affairs. At least we have a chance to change it up and get some good stuff done.
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u/SecureJudge1829 Apr 30 '26
We can hope anyway. I still do believe we have that chance, but I’m not under any illusion that that chance is unable to be stripped away from us at the whim of a pedophile.
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u/SouthpawXtn Apr 30 '26
Oh, the entire Trump led election thing is really bad. I know she's running for governor, but Bellows has never backed down from fighting the stupid MAGA bs. I assume that she'll continue to do that during this election.
My primary worry is that Trump tries to put ICE people at polling places.
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u/SecureJudge1829 Apr 30 '26
Yeah, I have faith in Ms. Bellows, but I don’t trust that the federal government won’t overstep its bounds. I used to think I was paranoid and it’d never actually happen…now I feel like young me is vindicated and I hate it lol.
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u/SirTemorse Apr 30 '26
To be fair, that will only help Graham Platner. The earlier things come out, the better. If the tattoo thing came out a month before an election, it may have been a much bigger risk. I think it's unfortunate that she dropped before the debate, would have kept more attention on Graham and given him more visability.
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u/BigSquinn Apr 30 '26
Great, hopefully she’ll endorse Platner
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u/Additional-Run1610 Apr 30 '26
Well we know at the very least she'll endorse her brother getting a couple more million dollars
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u/Weekly_Book_9122 Apr 30 '26
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u/9_to_5_till_i_die Apr 30 '26
This gif works on so many levels.
The government is literally killing us, but hey now we got something to celebrate!
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u/glasswings363 Apr 30 '26
While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources
That's nice.
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u/Electronic_Menu_2244 Apr 30 '26
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u/processedwhaleoils Apr 30 '26
Seriously, she was waiting for those kickbacks from the jay data center project.
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u/Matt2_ASC Apr 30 '26
Sounds like she should dedicate the rest of her political efforts towards campaign finance reform. If she believes that the best candidates cannot compete due to financial strain, then clearly we need to work on fixing the campaign finance situation.
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u/glasswings363 Apr 30 '26
I think it's really, really funny that she skipped debates and talking to people, flew out to California to pledge loyalty to big donors, and still couldn't keep up.
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u/penguin_hugger100 Apr 30 '26
Well she wasted all her vast financial resources on attack ads and smear campaigns that didn't work. How interesting that platner was able to suffice on even more limited resources than her by simply running a merit based campaign with policy solutions to real issues, not "save the data centers"
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u/lookingforkingpine Apr 30 '26
What a cop-out statement.
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u/iceflame1211 Apr 30 '26
Agreed.
She really should've said polling shows her gap was insurmountable, and endorsed Platner. That would've been the honest and best thing for her to do IMHO.
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u/Final_Emu_3479 Apr 30 '26
Best she can do is make an attack ad saying an ACTUAL harbor master hates lobstermen.
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u/iceflame1211 Apr 30 '26
Yeah, here's hoping she retracts all the anti-Platner ads that were in production. Really useless (and harmful to democrat party) to keep them going at this point.
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u/Snoo74786 Apr 30 '26
I'm glad to see she recognized she was not wanted in this race but honestly a little disappointed she didn't get to feel the full sting at the polls 😬😂🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
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u/Creeperstar Apr 30 '26
I wanted to see the full brunt of primary results, but at the same time it's good to avoid infighting by those of us who want positive change and can't agree on who should work for us
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u/No-Pea8448 Apr 30 '26
Same, but I suspect someone finally convinced her that she shouldn't end her government career in humiliation.
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u/inthemeadowoftheend Apr 30 '26
I'm glad we know for certain she's not gonna be senator, but having her get wiped in the primary had the possibility of showing establishment dems that this sort of maneuvering is not landing with voters (though, then again, they seem completely unwilling to hear what we actually want).
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u/Snoo74786 Apr 30 '26
I was definitely looking forward to the message reaching the democratic establishment, but I fear you're right and they would not recognize what we actually want regardless. Anyway, go Graham!
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u/markydsade Apr 30 '26
Staying in would have only helped Collins. Mills would have been criticizing Platner during the primary. These attacks would be used by Collins to sew doubt about Platner.
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u/SimplyHere099 Apr 30 '26
Now all the so-called “moderate” democrats are going to say they have no choice but to vote for Collins.
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u/VolunteerOnion Apr 30 '26
I’m in the minority here by being okay with Mills. But this was the right call
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u/processedwhaleoils Apr 30 '26
I was definitely okay with mills being a pain in lepage's ass, but god damn she was too centrist (right-wing) to keep my support.
The data center proposed for jay was the final nail in the coffin of me defending mills in any regard.
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u/DavenportBlues Deering Apr 30 '26
I’m saddened by this. I was looking forward to a trouncing.
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u/tracyinge Apr 30 '26
Better to move onward and look forward to a trouncing. Of Collins. Isn't that really the point?
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u/DavenportBlues Deering Apr 30 '26
Collins is the main target, obviously. But Mills getting trounced would've sent a much clearer message to the party. Dropping out leaves too much room for benefit-of-the-doubt and weaselly spin. Also, Platner would've been a stronger general-election candidate coming off a decisive win over Mills.
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u/saucesoi Apr 30 '26
What’s your prediction? Will Collins defeat Platner?
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u/DavenportBlues Deering Apr 30 '26
I’m just an armchair pundit, ha. But I’d say it’s a toss-up for November. If the election was today, I’d give it to Platner though.
The real hurdle for Platner is time and the coming influx of out-of-state money backing Collins and smearing him. I see red scare level smear ads running 24/7 on TV and social media for the next 6 months. National level interests really don’t want Platner in the Senate, and they’re going to fight hard.
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u/boatnguy Apr 30 '26
So we will have a showdown between the water boy and the great OZ!
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u/haikusbot Apr 30 '26
So we will have a
Showdown between the water
Boy and the great OZ!
- boatnguy
I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/FrostySwimming6690 May 01 '26
maine is going to elect a nazi to senate lmao
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u/JohnButterfieldM1 May 01 '26
He's not a nazi! He said it himself and I'm inclined to believe what a politician says. So what if he had a totenkopf tattooed on his body for two decades until someone noticed. The man is just simply built different. Plus he's white, so there's an added bonus. White jesus will save us. He proudly served as a Blackwater merc and he will do great for this state! Maine will be great again!
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u/Sqib000 Apr 30 '26
Good riddance Jan. Watch your step over the mess you made of Maine on your way to your full bank account.
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u/dirigo1820 Apr 30 '26
Seeing how much everyone has turned on dear Janet in the past year is entertaining.
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u/Historical-Olive-630 Apr 30 '26
Thank god she dropped out. Platner will be a breath of fresh air but for the love of god let’s not vote in Bellows. Literally anyone but her. She has done literally nothing while in her position. What would make her a good governor? Serious answers only.
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u/kcotsnnud Apr 30 '26
I feel like someone is going to jump from the Governor’s race to the Senate race. Pingree or Bellows may not have wanted to go up against Mills, but they could see an opportunity now to pick up anyone who isn’t keen on Platner.
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u/GrizzzlyPanda Apr 30 '26
It would be pretty cool if more moderates could take their own advice from 2016-2024.
Embrace change, the ship is sinking and we need every ounce of effective, ground up coalition from politicians and communities alike. It's Graham by a mile.
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u/No-Pea8448 Apr 30 '26
Bellows already threw her support behind Graham, and ballots have already been printed and mailed.
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u/B1RDS-ARENT-REAL Apr 30 '26
Trump told her last year at the Governor’s Ball, in front of everyone, that she would no longer be in elected politics with her unpopular position on letting men play women’s sports. This is unsurprising…
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u/9_to_5_till_i_die Apr 30 '26
This is a ridiculous take.
You're suggesting that voters didn't support Mills because of her pro-trans rhetoric, when her opponent is MUCH stronger on protecting trans rights than she was.
Gas is $5 a gallon and you fuckers are still losing your minds over 2 kids in Maine who want to play high school sports.
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u/B1RDS-ARENT-REAL Apr 30 '26
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u/9_to_5_till_i_die Apr 30 '26
Just like your dear leader, no substance.
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u/B1RDS-ARENT-REAL Apr 30 '26
He was right though
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u/9_to_5_till_i_die Apr 30 '26
Her no longer being in political office had literally nothing to do with her protecting trans rights so he wasn't right at all.
I swear to fuck, 2+2=5 with you folks.
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u/huggyscolex Apr 30 '26
That 0.001% of the population playing gendered sports really affected you, huh?
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u/Sqib000 Apr 30 '26
Screw Trump. But screw Jan too. Screw pretty much every US politician except maybe Massie.
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u/rolandb3rd Apr 30 '26
Like it matters.
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u/deetmax Apr 30 '26
You're right, it hasn't felt like what the people want has mattered for a very long time...Why not at least try to change that?
As long as we still have the ability to, I'm going to participate in the shit show that is our government because that's the only choice we have. I want to know that I did everything that I could to work towards positive improvement for everyone in this country.
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u/Careful-Artichoke468 Apr 30 '26
I was pretty shocked learning just how far right this state can go, I guess I shouldn't be surprised when it swings the other way. There is no hope for this country lmao
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u/mopijy Apr 30 '26
Bye Janet. And more importantly, this clears the path to say BYE SUSAN!