(CN) - Maine Governor Janet Mills on Thursday suspended her campaign to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins, paving the way for surging progressive Graham Platner to represent the Democrats in what's expected to be a critical race for congressional control.

Mills, 78, announced her exodus from the race with a statement attributing the end of her campaign to a lack of fundraising.

"When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was because I believed Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster," Mills said Thursday. "I continue to believe that today.

"While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else - the fight - to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources," she added. "That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate."

Mills was outraised by both Platner and Collins in the first quarter of 2026. The governor brought in $2.6 million to Collins' $3 million. Platner, a 41-year-old military veteran and oysterman, beat out both with $4.1 million raised during that span.

The race has drawn national attention as Democrats look to reclaim control of the Senate. Collins' seat has largely been seen as one of the party's top targets, as she is the only Republican senator to represent a state won by Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. 

A moderate liberal with near-unanimous name recognition around the state, Mills was largely seen as the Democratic establishment's choice to replace Collins. 

Platner emerged as a populist insurgent to flank her from the left, running a strong online campaign with outspoken criticisms of the billionaire class and Israel's war on Palestinians. He's been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, and shared a campaign advisor with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

But unlike Mamdani, Platner's campaign has been rife with controversy. He was forced to apologize for old Reddit posts, in which he lambasted police as "bastards," called for an armed working class uprising and questioned why Black people "don't tip." Platner said the posts were "stupid joke comments," attributing them to a time of loneliness and isolation after he left the military.

He also faced criticism for a tattoo on his chest, which appeared to resemble a German Totenkopf - a skull and crossbones adopted as a hate symbol by the Nazi SS during the Third Reich. Platner, who said he got the tattoo in Croatia after a night of drinking, initially downplayed its significance and said he was unaware of its history. He got it covered up in October 2025 amid persistent backlash. 

Despite the road bumps, Platner's support has been unwavering. He consistently outperformed Mills in polling this year and beat her on the fundraising side, and is now poised to challenge Collins head-to-head in November's general election. 

Mills did not endorse Platner after bowing out of the race. 

In a statement Thursday, Platner commended Mills' service to Maine as governor and previously as attorney general, district attorney and in the Legislature. 

"We both got into this race because we knew how critical defeating Susan Collins is," Platner said. "And her decision today reflects that commitment. I look forward to working with her between now and November to do just that." 

Mills' exodus is a blow to establishment Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recruited her to run against Platner in the first place. Their primary battle represented a microcosm of the broader conflict within the party between centrists like Mills, who once received an A+ rating from the NRA, and its progressive wing.

Collins is a formidable incumbent with deep pockets. In January, the Senate Leadership Fund - a top super PAC aligned with Republicans - announced it was pumping a record-setting $42 million investment to support her reelection.

Democrats will likely need her seat for a path to control the Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans 53-47.

Source: Courthouse News Service