Mills is walking the walk of too many Democratic leaders like Schumer, Gillibrand et al. They've got to be replaced and the sooner the better with the midterms looming closer every day.
The most telling number in this piece isn’t the dollar totals — it’s the small-dollar donor gap. When a candidate relies disproportionately on maxed-out checks while their opponent is stacking up twice as many grassroots contributions, that’s not just a fundraising difference. That’s an enthusiasm difference.
If Gov. Janet Mills wants to frame this race as a defense of Maine against the excesses of Donald Trump and a rebuke to Susan Collins, then she has to actually show up where Mainers are organizing and demanding action. Fundraisers in Silicon Valley while hundreds gather in Lewiston against ICE raids send a message — whether intended or not — about priorities.
Small donors aren’t just line items in an FEC report. They’re a proxy for volunteer energy, turnout, and narrative momentum. If Platner is doubling her in small-dollar volume across southern, central, and northern Maine, that should set off alarm bells for any campaign that assumes name recognition is enough.
You can’t substitute establishment backing for visible solidarity. In this political moment, statements and letters don’t carry the same weight as standing in the cold with your constituents. If Mills wants to win this primary, she may need to rethink not just her fundraising mix — but her posture toward the grassroots energy reshaping Maine politics.
Platner all the way! He entered the race before Mills, and then the Party thought it would be a good idea to play it safe. They are wrong. Voters like fighters, and Platner is ready for the fight.
Thank you. I was wondering how these two candidates were doing; I had pretty much decided that Graham Platner was a far better choice than Janet Mills. Your piece makes it clearer. I had decided to limit my out-of-state donations this year, but for Graham, I'm going to make an exception.
So the "concrete measures" Mills took are writing a strongly-worded letter, requesting a meeting with Trump, and slamming Congress for not "reforming" ICE? Are her PR people trolling her?
Mills is walking the walk of too many Democratic leaders like Schumer, Gillibrand et al. They've got to be replaced and the sooner the better with the midterms looming closer every day.
The most telling number in this piece isn’t the dollar totals — it’s the small-dollar donor gap. When a candidate relies disproportionately on maxed-out checks while their opponent is stacking up twice as many grassroots contributions, that’s not just a fundraising difference. That’s an enthusiasm difference.
If Gov. Janet Mills wants to frame this race as a defense of Maine against the excesses of Donald Trump and a rebuke to Susan Collins, then she has to actually show up where Mainers are organizing and demanding action. Fundraisers in Silicon Valley while hundreds gather in Lewiston against ICE raids send a message — whether intended or not — about priorities.
Small donors aren’t just line items in an FEC report. They’re a proxy for volunteer energy, turnout, and narrative momentum. If Platner is doubling her in small-dollar volume across southern, central, and northern Maine, that should set off alarm bells for any campaign that assumes name recognition is enough.
You can’t substitute establishment backing for visible solidarity. In this political moment, statements and letters don’t carry the same weight as standing in the cold with your constituents. If Mills wants to win this primary, she may need to rethink not just her fundraising mix — but her posture toward the grassroots energy reshaping Maine politics.
How in the world does the Democratic Party expect voters to be enthusiastic about her candidacy? "Out of touch" is an understatement.
How many times is Schumer going to wheel out another geriatric candidate and expect voters to be enthusiastic?
I write this as someone in thr north side of 70.
Thr country desperately needs younger voices.
Platner all the way! He entered the race before Mills, and then the Party thought it would be a good idea to play it safe. They are wrong. Voters like fighters, and Platner is ready for the fight.
I'll settle for beating Collins.
Thank you. I was wondering how these two candidates were doing; I had pretty much decided that Graham Platner was a far better choice than Janet Mills. Your piece makes it clearer. I had decided to limit my out-of-state donations this year, but for Graham, I'm going to make an exception.
So the "concrete measures" Mills took are writing a strongly-worded letter, requesting a meeting with Trump, and slamming Congress for not "reforming" ICE? Are her PR people trolling her?
Every small donor who is also a Maine resident is an extremely likely a voter. That bodes well for Platner.
I agree with you, Nathan-- she's older dirt-- what we need is another gerariatric! I'm 71 yrs young!
Still teaching @ high school level!