Democrat Maine Governor Janet Mills is dropping out of her state’s US Senate race, leaving only Graham Platner and his questionable tattoos.
Mills announced she would be exiting the race on Thursday in a lengthy post on X, where she began reflecting on her time as district attorney, attorney general, and as governor. Platner, now the only viable Democrat candidate, has come under intense scrutiny over a chest tattoo that depicts what appears to be a Totenkopf, a skull symbol closely associated with Nazi SS units.
My statement suspending my candidacy for the U.S. Senate: pic.twitter.com/IDs58EfatC
— Janet Mills (@JanetMillsforME) April 30, 2026
Touting her record of fighting for the people of Maine, citing her accomplishments of expanding “health care” along with protecting “reproductive freedom” and claiming to have better fortified the state from the violent storms and pollution, which she attributes to climate change. (RELATED: Dog-Shocking Leftist Shuns ‘Nazi Tattoo’ Progressive In Democrat Primary Fight)
The 78-year-old Maine governor went on to discuss her decision to exit the Senate race, stating, “When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was believed Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington, and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster. I continue to believe that today.”
Mills added that financial resources were the primary factor in her decision to step out of the race, despite noting she still has “the fight” to continue.
“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.”
My name is Graham Platner and I’m running for US Senate to defeat Susan Collins and topple the oligarchy that’s destroying our country.
I’m a veteran, oysterman, and working class Mainer who’s seen this state become unlivable for working people. And that makes me deeply angry. pic.twitter.com/QZfAm528N1
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) August 19, 2025
She concluded her statement by expressing “hope” and “admiration” for the people of Maine, adding that she plans to continue to “fight” for them during the final eight months of her term as governor. Notably, Mills did not endorse Platner in her announcement.
Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins responded to Mill’s decision to suspend her campaign in statement obtained by the Daily Caller Thursday, writing, “I’m sure this was a difficult decision for Governor Mills, and I think her decades of service to the people of Maine.”
Platner, a progressive candidate vying for Collins’ seat in Maine, built a commanding lead over Mills. An April 7 poll showed Platner ahead by 33 points, with additional surveys similarly indicating a sizable advantage in the race. (RELATED: Maine Oyster Farmer’s Dad Somehow Found $60,000 To Drop On Democrats Despite ‘Working Class’ Background)
David Costello, a former government official in Maine who challenged U.S. Sen. Angus King in 2024, is the only remaining democrat candidate in the race but has not been a major factor.
Democrat House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in light of the news of Mills dropping out of the race on Thursday, according to a Washington Examiner report.
The two New York Democrats wrote in a joint statement, “Janet Mills is a formidable governor who has broken barriers and never hesitates to stand up to bullies to fight for Maine. We are grateful for her hard-fought and principled campaign, and we respect her decision to continue her service to Maine as Governor.”
After Mills entered the race in October 2025, a series of previously deleted Reddit posts tied to Platner resurfaced. Posting under the pseudonym “P-Hustle,” Platner described himself as a “communist,” referred to “all” police officers as “bastards,” and criticized rural white Americans as racist and unintelligent — remarks that could complicate his appeal with rural voters. (RELATED: Democrat Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Outed By Own Comments As Anti-White Communist)
In a separate 2013 Reddit exchange, Platner also questioned: “why black people don’t tip.”
“I work as a bartender and it always amazes me how solid this stereotype is … Every now and again a black patron will leave a 15–20% tip, but usually it [is] between 0–5%. There’s got to be a reason behind it, what is it?” he asked.
Chuck Schumer should be focused on fighting Donald Trump and protecting healthcare for millions of Americans, not meddling in a Maine primary.
DC’s choice has lost to Susan Collins five times in a row. We can’t afford a sixth. https://t.co/6Yu6rEA4HK
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) October 14, 2025
Additional posts have drawn scrutiny, including comments about gay people. In August 2018, he wrote, “Betcha not a single downvoter is a real combat vet. Feel free to back it up with facts, fags.”
He also previously argued that sexual assault victims should “just take some responsibility for themselves” and “act like an adult for fucks sake,” and defended a fellow Marine who had urinated on a deceased Taliban fighter.
The Daily Caller reached out to Platner for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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