A Washington-based Associated Press story is advancing the increasing likelihood that Maine’s term-limited governor is all in for a U.S. Senate candidacy.
“Mills has made calls to prospective campaign managers, according to two sources with direct knowledge of her efforts,” the AP reported late Tuesday. “They spoke on condition of anonymity because Mills has not formally announced her candidacy.”
The AP story’s credibility is notable for two reasons.
First of all, it builds upon, and supports the premise of, a recent piece from Punchbowl quoting sources saying Mills has begun interviewing potential staff members for a Senate campaign.
Second, the story is reported by the wire service’s political team – including national reporter Thomas Beaumont -instead of by regional general-assignment reporters.
The AP says that Democrats would still have a bloody fight on their hands trying to unseat the five-term Republican senior senator, Susan Collins.
“But in Mills, Democrats would have a two-term governor with a record of winning statewide, in a place where Democrat Kamala Harris defeated Trump in 2024,” the AP reports. “That could mean a blockbuster race between Mills and Collins.”
Aides to Mills on Tuesday noted for the AP her comments to reporters last week that she was “seriously considering” a Senate campaign.
Mills has said she would announce a decision by mid-November.
She became a folk hero for Trump haters earlier this year after sparring with the president during a meeting of governors at the White House.
Trump singled out Mills during the meeting, pushing her to comply with an order to bar transgender athletes – otherwise known as boys – from girls’ sports and threatening to deny federal funding to the state.
“We’ll see you in court,” Mills shot back. Trump responded: “Enjoy your life after governor because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
If she decides to run Mills would still need to get through a primary which currently includes a handful of other opponents.
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, has effectively sidelined any opposition that Mills would have by virtually begging her again in the race.
The fact that Schumer is inserting himself into a state primary to try to persuade the state’s biggest-name Democrat to get in the race – regardless that lesser names would like at least a chance – reflects the fact he knows that unseating Collins will be a Herculean task.
