Maine Governor Janet Mills, on October 14, announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins.
Janet Mills, 77, was confronted by former President Donald Trump at the White House in February. She is now positioning her campaign as a challenge to long-time GOP influence in Maine.
The 75th Governor of Maine is entering a competitive Democratic primary against newcomer Graham Platner in the race to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
Mills brings statewide experience and appeal to independents, while 42-year-old Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, energizes progressives with his focus on working-class issues and outsider status.
Her announcement sets the stage for a high-profile 2026 race likely to draw national attention from both parties.
Janet Mills Confronted by Trump at the White House
President Donald Trump confronted a Democratic governor in front of other governors over her refusal to enforce a federal order forbidding men in women’s sports.
Trump was speaking to a meeting of governors at the White House on March 2, 2025, when he singled out Maine Gov. Janet Mills for refusing to follow the order and berated her over it.
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Mills fired back, and the two got into a brief shouting match.
Trump posed a direct question: “Is the governor of Maine here?”, to which Mills firmly replied: “I am here.”
The president, without beating around the bush, questioned the governor about her willingness to comply with the executive order.
“Aren’t you going to comply with it?” he asked.
“I am following state and federal laws,” she replied.
Trump’s Threat to Gov. Mills
“We are the federal law […] It would be better for you to comply… Otherwise, you will not receive any federal funding”, the president threatened.
The governor, not yielding to pressure, replied: “We will see each other in court.”
The president insisted on his position, stating that people don’t want men playing in women’s sports, and he made a recommendation to Mills.
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“Enjoy your life after being governor, because I don’t think you’ll be elected in politics again.”
Why Mills Confrontation Went Viral
Although some politicians have defied the orders and directives of the president, among them, the governor of New York, Mills’ case was unique. The face-to-face clash gave the incident a different connotation.
On the night before the confrontation, Trump had already expressed his discontent in a meeting with Republican governors.
“I heard that men are still competing in Maine [against women]. That’s why we’re not giving them any federal funds. Not a dime, until they fix that,” Trump had been quoted earlier.
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