Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her flagging Democratic U.S. Senate primary last week, has not yet filed paperwork to formally drop out.
Because her move came less than the required 70-day threshold before the June 9 primary, Mills’ name cannot be removed from the ballot against frontrunner Graham Platner and 2024 U.S. Senate nominee David Costello. Votes cast for the outgoing governor will count unless she files a notice to withdraw with the state. If she does, votes for her would count as blank.
The lack of a withdrawal notice almost a week after Mills’ announcement adds a new wrinkle to what was a contentious primary. Democrats hope to rally around the energy and enthusiasm built by the progressive newcomer Platner as he’s barnstormed the state since last summer. The party is also banking on anger at President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
Mills’ suspension followed a struggle to raise money to combat Platner’s momentum and keep a campaign hoping to oust longtime U.S. Sen. Susan Collins afloat. The move shook up one of the most pivotal Senate races in the country, marking a turning point after Mills was recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and backed by many established Democratic lawmakers and liberal groups.
It’s unclear whether Mills is delaying her notice as part of a strategy. Campaign spokesperson Tommy Garcia did not respond to a request for comment. But her campaign had not filed one as of Tuesday afternoon, Jana Spalding, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, said.
Once state officials receive the notice of intent to withdraw, the secretary of state’s office issues a notice informing voters that the candidate has withdrawn and that a vote for that candidate will not be counted, according to state election procedure.
The notice from the state must also be sent along with all absentee ballots requested after local officials receive it. The notice also must be posted on the secretary of state’s website and outside the guardrail enclosure in each voting booth on Election Day.
