Maine Governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign for a US Senate seat on Thursday, citing a lack of financial resources. Mills stated that while she possesses the drive, passion, commitment, and experience to continue, she does not have the funding that modern political campaigns require.
The governor's departure follows a struggle to outshine first-time candidate Graham Platner ahead of the June 9 Democratic primary. Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, is now all but assured to receive the Democratic nomination.
The race is for the seat currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins and is considered critical to Democratic hopes of retaking the Senate. The move sets up a likely battle this fall between the incumbent and Platner, a progressive who is closely aligned with Senator Bernie Sanders.