Mills to Maine Voters: Psst, I'm Still on the Ballot

Maine's governor wants voters to remember something about next week's Democratic Senate primary: She never actually left it. Janet Mills, who halted her campaign in late April after progressive favorite Graham Platner surged, told the Portland Press Herald she only "suspended active campaigning" and remains on the ballot. Her reminder lands as Platner, 41, faces fresh scrutiny for acknowledging that he sent explicit text messages to several women even after marrying in 2023. His campaign had previously weathered criticism over a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol and old Reddit posts downplaying sexual violence.

Platner has blasted coverage of his texts as "journalistic malpractice" and urged attention to policy instead, a view echoed in part by early backer Sen. Bernie Sanders, who said focus should shift to "issues facing working families," reports the New York Times. Tuesday could be a crucial day for Platner: He meets with Senate Democrats as the latest controversy unfolds, per the Hill. The race is central to Democrats' hopes of retaking control of the Senate, with GOP Sen. Susan Collins seen as vulnerable.