PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The New England governor told President Donald Trump to his face. she will see him in court is currently scheduled to challenge Maine’s Republican senator at the polls.
Democratic Party Governor Janet Mills He has cited his confrontation with the Republican president in the White House in February as evidence that he should serve in the Senate, making it official in his campaign launch video on Tuesday.
“I’m going to stand up to Trump, just like I did in February,” Mills said Sunday in a campaign preview phone interview with The Associated Press.
See Mills’ comment Maine legal challenge In response to President Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from school sports. She openly resisted pressure from the president during an audience with him and other governors in February.
Mills said he was running to support a broader movement against Trump, accusing him of cutting food and medical aid to America’s children and low-income Americans. Huge tax and spending cuts bill It was enacted in July. He said he is also running to oust a five-term Republican senator. susan collinswho voted in favor of this measure.
“I think they want more from Susan Collins than we’re seeing right now,” Mills said in an interview. “We need warriors and people who will stand up for the future of our democracy and fight for the interests of the people of Maine, as I have throughout my career.”
Democrats target Maine in 2026
Democrats face the difficult task of regaining the Senate majority in next year’s midterm legislative elections. The party needs to win a net four seats, with Trump winning most of the states that will hold Senate elections next year.
The NDP sees Maine as a key target. On the 2026 Senate election map, this is the only state held by Republicans that was won by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last year.
Mills looked through a list of former Maine senators “with a proud tradition of defending democracy from those who threaten it,” including Margaret Chase Smith, William Cohen, George Mitchell and Olympia Snowe. Smith, Cohen, and Snowe were Republicans and Mitchell was a Democrat, but all were known to be bipartisan.
Mr. Collins has long positioned himself as a reflection of Maine’s independent spirit, but he has frequently voted for Mr. Trump on important issues.
“My view is that Susan Collins has failed to live up to that tradition and has failed to respond with the strength and courage that this unprecedented moment requires,” Mills said.
Collins though voted to convict Trump After his impeachment for his role in 2021, January 6th Capitol riotMills specifically notes that he voted: Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmed As critical to the court’s 2022 decision on Overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade case of 1973sent the decision on whether abortion is legal back to the states.
Mr. Mills also criticized Mr. Collins for voting to confirm him. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. President Trump’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. While Kennedy is supported anti-vaccine policies and expelled public health officials “For example, we are working with other states to expand vaccinations and maintain public health infrastructure,” Mills said at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Republicans released their own video Tuesday to prepare for Mills’ candidacy. The National Republican Senatorial Committee accused her of defying, among other things, the Trump administration’s push for mass deportations of illegal citizens and an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in school sports.
“No, thank you, Janet,” the ad concludes.
Mills promotes transgender fight against Trump
However, Mills’ camp thinks as follows. The fight for transgender rights As a strength.
In front of governors at the state cafeteria, Trump summoned Maine’s governor and asked him if he was “not going to comply with the executive order against transgender athletes,” to which Mills replied, “I am following state and federal law.”
President Trump responded, “If you don’t comply, you won’t get any federal funding, so you better comply.”
Mills replied, “See you in court.”
Trump retorted: “Okay. I’ll see you in court. I’m looking forward to it. It should be really easy.” “And enjoy your post-governor life, because I don’t think you’ll ever be an elected politician.”
“I’ve spent most of my career listening to loud men talk tough to cover up their weaknesses,” Mills said in April, referring to Mayne’s lawsuit against the Trump administration, stoking Democratic enthusiasm.
Trump administration takes office in May agreed to reverse the decision Freezing federal funding for state child nutrition programs over state policies toward transgender athletes.
The hesitation of spring leads to the arrival of autumn
Mills is prohibited by law from seeking a third term as governor. Throughout the spring and summer, she appeared to dismiss Collins’ proposal to run for the Senate.
Several other challengers have announced their candidacy for the Democratic nomination, including oyster farmer Graham Platner, who has launched an aggressive social media campaign. Platner is backed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
Mills pointed to the Republican-backed bill and its Medicaid cuts. partial shutdown of the federal government In the end, she was forced to run because the race is in its third week and inflation is still high.
“For me, the idea of being in Washington, D.C., is not fun,” she told The Associated Press. “But now is the time for it.”
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Follow Associated Press coverage of Maine Gov. Janet Mills below. https://apnews.com/hub/janet-mills.
