Mills: Collins is ‘Always Concerned, Never Courageous’

Maine Senate Race Heats Up with Millions in Spending

The race for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat is already a costly battle, with campaign and political spending surpassing $37 million. Over $1 million was spent just last week, signaling an intense contest ahead. This spending surge is largely fueled by a competitive Democratic primary, pitting current Governor Janet Mills against combat veteran and oyster farmer Graham Plattner. Both are vying for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins, who is seeking her sixth term in the Senate.

Governor Mills Criticizes Collins’ Record and Stance

Governor Janet Mills expressed optimism about her campaign, suggesting that much of the recent spending aims to boost Senator Collins’ public image. Mills pointed out that Collins, after 30 years in office, still requires advertising to raise her favorability ratings. “They need an ad campaign to get her favorables up?” Mills questioned, highlighting the longevity of Collins’ career.

Mills directly attacked Collins’ past votes, particularly her confirmation vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Mills argued that Kavanaugh’s subsequent decisions, like the overturning of Roe v. Wade, have led to a significant loss of reproductive healthcare access for American women. “A third of all American women lack reproductive health care, can’t get life-saving health care even after a miscarriage,” Mills stated, linking Collins’ vote to real-world consequences.

The governor also criticized Collins for not pushing for legislation to address long TSA lines, which she believes are caused by Republican obstruction. “She and the Republicans won’t pass the bill,” Mills asserted. She summarized her view of the senator by saying, “Always concerned, but never courageous, and that’s the problem here.”

Mills Defends Her Record and Primary Challenge

Mills addressed criticisms from her primary opponent, Graham Plattner, who argues that she has not adequately improved conditions in Maine. Mills defended her record, pointing to state-level achievements in increasing healthcare access and affordability. “I’ve done a lot at the state level to increase healthcare access, affordable healthcare, affordable child care,” she said.

She acknowledged the current economic challenges, including high gas and heating oil prices, which significantly impact Maine. “Tariffs and affordability, clearly a crisis completely,” Mills stated, noting that gas prices in Maine are around $3.80 to $3.90 per gallon and home heating oil bills can be substantial. She positioned her run for the Senate as a way to address these issues at the national level.

Regarding the debate within the Democratic party about generational change, Mills reiterated her pledge to serve only one term if elected. She argued that her commitment is to focus on the job and achieve progress, contrasting her approach with Collins’ long tenure. “Seniority without a backbone is nothing much, nothing but tenure,” Mills commented, emphasizing her belief that Collins has not used her seniority effectively to stand up to the current administration.

Addressing Primary Polls and Opponent’s Vulnerabilities

Mills acknowledged a recent Emerson College poll showing Plattner ahead in the primary but expressed confidence in her ability to overcome the deficit. She plans to highlight what she calls Plattner’s damaging statements, particularly those concerning women and rural Mainers. “The negatives on this guy are much more damaging,” Mills contended.

She specifically cited Plattner’s past remarks about women being responsible for their own sexual abuse and his comments about white, rural Mainers, which she labeled as racist and stupid. Mills believes these statements make him vulnerable to Republican attacks. “They will tear him apart,” she predicted, suggesting that Collins would prefer to face Plattner in the general election because of these vulnerabilities.

Mills also noted that Republicans have publicly stated their preference for Plattner as the Democratic nominee. “We want Graham Plattner to be the nominee of the party in Maine because Susan Collins can’t wait to run against him,” she stated, quoting what she heard from Republican strategists.

Looking Ahead: The General Election Battle

As the Democratic primary continues, the focus is shifting towards the general election matchup. Governor Mills is positioning herself as the stronger candidate to defeat Senator Collins, emphasizing her own electoral success and her willingness to confront difficult issues. The high spending and sharp rhetoric signal that this will be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the nation, with significant implications for the balance of power in Washington.

Source: Sen. Collins is always concerned and never courageous, says Dem challenger Gov. Mills (YouTube)