Amid a sexting scandal involving Democrat Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, the governor of the state, fellow Democrat Janet Mills who suspended her Senate campaign in April, is now reminding citizens they still have the option to vote for her in the June 9 primary.
“People have the impression that I withdrew or dropped out, but I simply suspended active campaigning,” Mills told the Portland Press Herald. “I am still on the ballot.”
In April, Mills had suspended her campaign for financial reasons, saying: “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 is why today, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for United States Senate.”
In her first post since she suspended her campaign, Mills on Monday featured a rainbow flag to say on X: “Happy Pride Month, Maine! Everyone deserves the freedom to live authentically and marry who they love without fear. I’m proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, today and every day.”
Happy Pride Month, Maine!
Everyone deserves the freedom to live authentically and marry who they love without fear. I’m proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, today and every day. 🏳️🌈
— Janet Mills (@JanetMillsforME) June 1, 2026
The University of New Hampshire released a poll last week indicating Mills had only 10% support. During her active campaign, the governor trailed the oyster farmer Platner by double digits, and an Emerson College poll in March showed Platner with a 27-point lead.
We stopped by Governor Mills’ office earlier this morning to ask about rumors that she may get back into the race.
In typical fashion, her press team did not follow up with us. https://t.co/tdeljLej1S pic.twitter.com/5kmIYrqodD
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) June 1, 2026
The Press Heralds reports: “Mills’ name will remain on the ballot and votes for her will be counted because she has not filed the necessary paperwork with the Maine Department of the Secretary of State to nullify them. Unlike many prominent Maine Democrats, Mills never endorsed Platner after she dropped out of the race.”
“Platner continues to face scrutiny over his controversial past Reddit posts and for his tattoo that resembles a Nazi image.
“He has apologized for the online posts, which included blaming sexual assault victims for their assaults and the use of slurs for disabled people and gay men. He said the posts came at a time he was struggling with depression and PTSD sustained during four combat deployments, and that the words longer reflect who is today.”
Longshot hopeful David Costello is on the ballot, and write-in candidate Andrea LaFlamme is also vying for the Democrat nomination. The primary winner will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
NBC Nightly News: “The sexting scandal, the latest controversy… There’s a series of Platner’s inflammatory past social media posts, including where he blamed victims for rape and said a Purple Heart veteran who was shot by the Taliban didn’t deserve to live.” pic.twitter.com/mMdYdZ6YS0
— Bobby LaValley (@Bobby_LaVallley) June 1, 2026
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said he’s “certainly not” rethinking his endorsement of Platner following revelations he sent sexually explicit text messages to women.
“My understanding is that his wife, Amy, who I’ve met, indicated they love each other, but maybe we focus on the issues facing the American people, the people of Maine, and not the marriage issues facing Graham Platner,” Sanders told MS NOW.
NEW: Sen. Bernie Sanders told me he’s “certainly not” rethinking his endorsement of Graham Platner following news that he sent sexually explicit text messages to women.
“My understanding is that his wife, Amy, who I’ve met, indicated they love each other, but maybe we focus on… pic.twitter.com/pQnzmH9a2w
— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) June 1, 2026
Outback founder Clay Travis noted Monday: “The ladies on the View called Maine Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner a racist liar. Democrats have ordered the code red on Platner. Feels like more awful revelations are coming. It’s a Swalwell-like implosion.”
Today the ladies on the View called Maine Democrat senate candidate Graham Platner a racist liar. Democrats have ordered the code red on Platner. Feels like more awful revelations are coming. It’s a Swalwell-like implosion. pic.twitter.com/f6axlLZ2aY
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 1, 2026
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‘Pulled out’: Graham Platner bails on interview with friendly media amid sexting scandal
