Janet Mills attends Barney Frank’s funeral as Dems pray for Graham Platner alternative in Maine

Governor Janet Mills of Maine made headlines recently when she decided not to revive her Senate campaign against scandal-plagued candidate Graham Platner. Despite trailing Platner in the polls, Mills still remains on the ballot for the upcoming primary election.

Many Democrats had hoped that Mills would re-enter the race as an alternative to Platner, whose campaign has been marred by misconduct allegations, including from former girlfriends. However, Mills chose to attend the funeral of late Rep. Barney Frank in Boston instead of jumping back into the political fray.

Frank, who had endorsed Mills in the Senate race, had expressed concerns about Platner’s candidacy before his passing. He warned against falling for “flavor of the month” candidates and stressed the importance of substance over style in politics.

Under state law, candidates must withdraw from the ballot 70 days before a primary, making it too late for Mills to officially remove herself from the race. Despite calls from allies to re-enter the Senate race, Mills has refrained from endorsing any candidate, including Platner.

Platner, a political outsider with a controversial past, has faced criticism for his behavior towards women, including allegations of physical aggression and inappropriate conduct. Recent reports have also revealed troubling details about his personal life, including extramarital affairs and offensive online posts.

As the primary election approaches, Democrats are growing increasingly concerned about Platner’s ability to defeat incumbent Senator Susan Collins in the general election. While Platner currently leads Collins in polling, there are doubts about his electability and the possibility of more damaging revelations coming to light.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Senate race, Mills has chosen to focus on her accomplishments as governor, including legislative victories and support for local farmers. As the political landscape in Maine continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the upcoming primary election and the race for the Senate seat.