Topzle Topzle

Janet Mills

Updated: Wikipedia source

Janet Mills

Janet Trafton Mills (born December 30, 1947) is an American politician and lawyer serving since 2019 as the 75th governor of Maine. She served four nonconsecutive two-year terms as Maine Attorney General, from 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Mills was first elected attorney general by the Maine Legislature on January 6, 2009, succeeding G. Steven Rowe. Her second term began on January 3, 2013, after the term of William Schneider. She was the first woman to hold the position. Before her election, she served in the Maine House of Representatives, representing the towns of Farmington and Industry. Her party nominated her for governor in the 2018 election, and she won, defeating Republican Shawn Moody and independent Terry Hayes. On January 2, 2019, she became Maine's first female governor. Mills was reelected in 2022. On October 14, 2025, Mills launched her campaign in the 2026 United States Senate election in Maine, challenging five-term incumbent Republican Susan Collins.

Infobox

Preceded by
Thomas E. Delahanty II
Governor
John Baldacci
Succeeded by
Norman Croteau
Constituency
78th district (2002–2004)89th district (2004–2009)
Appointed by
Joseph E. Brennan
Born
Janet Trafton Mills (1947-12-30) December 30, 1947 (age 77)Farmington, Maine, U.S.
Political party
Democratic
Spouse
mw- Stanley Kuklinski (m. 1985; died 2014)
Relatives
S. Peter Mills Jr. (father)Peter Mills (brother)
Education
Colby CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts, Boston (BA)University of Maine (JD)
Website
Office websiteCampaign website
Party
Democratic

Tables

1994 Democratic primary for Maine's 2nd congressional district[92] · Electoral history
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
John Baldacci
12,091
27.3
Democratic
James F. Mitchell
9,993
22.6
Democratic
Janet Mills
7,858
17.7
Democratic
James Howaniec
6,306
14.2
Democratic
Mary Cathcart
5,580
12.6
Democratic
Jean Hay Bright
2,043
4.6
Democratic
Shawn T. Hallisley
413
0.9
2018 Maine gubernatorial Democratic primary · Electoral history
Party
Candidate
Maximumround
Maximumvotes
Share inmaximumround
Maximum votes .mw- First round votes Transfer votes
Democratic
Janet Mills
4
63,384
54.1%
Democratic
Adam Cote
4
53,866
45.9%
Democratic
Betsy Sweet
3
29,944
24.4%
Democratic
Mark Eves
2
19,521
15.7%
Democratic
Mark Dion
1
5,200
4.1%
Democratic
Diane Russell
1
2,728
2.2%
Democratic
Donna Dion
1
1,596
1.3%
2018 Maine gubernatorial election · Electoral history
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Janet Mills
320,962
50.9
Republican
Shawn Moody
272,311
43.2
Independent
Terry Hayes
37,268
5.9
2022 Maine gubernatorial Democratic primary · Electoral history
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Janet Mills (incumbent)
74,311
100
2022 Maine gubernatorial election · Electoral history
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Janet Mills (incumbent)
376,934
55.7
Republican
Paul LePage
287,304
42.4
Independent
Sam Hunkler
12,581
1.9
· External links
Preceded bySteven Rowe
Preceded bySteven Rowe
Legal offices
Preceded bySteven Rowe
Legal offices
Attorney General of Maine 2009–2011
Legal offices
Succeeded byWilliam Schneider
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Legal offices
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Legal offices
Attorney General of Maine 2013–2019
Legal offices
Succeeded byAaron Frey
Party political offices
Party political offices
Legal offices
Party political offices
Preceded byMike Michaud
Preceded byMike Michaud
Legal offices
Preceded byMike Michaud
Legal offices
Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine 2018, 2022
Legal offices
Most recent
Political offices
Political offices
Legal offices
Political offices
Preceded byPaul LePage
Preceded byPaul LePage
Legal offices
Preceded byPaul LePage
Legal offices
Governor of Maine 2019–present
Legal offices
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Legal offices
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byJD Vanceas Vice President
Preceded byJD Vanceas Vice President
Legal offices
Preceded byJD Vanceas Vice President
Legal offices
Order of precedence of the United States Within Maine
Legal offices
Succeeded byMayor of cityin which event is held
Succeeded byOtherwise Mike Johnsonas Speaker of the House
Succeeded byOtherwise Mike Johnsonas Speaker of the House
Legal offices
Succeeded byOtherwise Mike Johnsonas Speaker of the House
Preceded byKay Iveyas Governor of Alabama
Preceded byKay Iveyas Governor of Alabama
Legal offices
Preceded byKay Iveyas Governor of Alabama
Legal offices
Order of precedence of the United States Outside Maine
Legal offices
Succeeded byMike Kehoeas Governor of Missouri
Legal offices
Preceded bySteven Rowe
Attorney General of Maine 2009–2011
Succeeded byWilliam Schneider
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Attorney General of Maine 2013–2019
Succeeded byAaron Frey
Party political offices
Preceded byMike Michaud
Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine 2018, 2022
Most recent
Political offices
Preceded byPaul LePage
Governor of Maine 2019–present
Incumbent
order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byJD Vanceas Vice President
Order of precedence of the United States Within Maine
Succeeded byMayor of cityin which event is held
Succeeded byOtherwise Mike Johnsonas Speaker of the House
Preceded byKay Iveyas Governor of Alabama
Order of precedence of the United States Outside Maine
Succeeded byMike Kehoeas Governor of Missouri

References

  1. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2018/11/07/politics/shawn-moody-concedes-governors-race-to-janet-mills/
  2. The Maine Monitor
    https://www.themainemonitor.org/as-red-wave-fails-to-materialize-nationally-janet-mills-wins-re-election-as-maines-governor/
  3. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/us/politics/janet-mills-senate-race-maine-susan-collins.html
  4. Bates.edu
    https://scarab.bates.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1266&context=muskie_oh
  5. Journal Tribune
    https://www.journaltribune.com/articles/front-page/janet-mills-mission-break-yet-another-glass-ceiling/
  6. Daily Bulldog – Franklin County's First News
    https://dailybulldog.com/features/kay-mills-life-remembered-and-celebrated/
  7. WCSH
    https://www.newscentermaine.com/video/news/politics/janet-mills-family-looking-forward-to-inauguration/97-e8dd74e3-d370-4861-8af4-1df2fd1a51ea
  8. Pine Tree Watch
    https://pinetreewatch.org/janet-mills-the-rebel-with-a-cause/
  9. Portland Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2018/09/16/janet-mills-mission-break-yet-another-glass-ceiling/
  10. The Maine Monitor
    https://themainemonitor.org/maines-governor-born-for-hard-times-and-hard-decisions/
  11. Sun Journal
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jc4gAAAAIBAJ&pg=1322,3862028&dq=maine-women%27s-lobby&hl=en
  12. billbradley.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20000229043212/http://www.billbradley.com/
  13. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2009/01/06/news/janet-mills-takes-oath-as-mainersquos-first-female-ag/
  14. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2011/01/24/politics/portland-lawyer-chosen-as-maine-dems-chairman/
  15. "Former Maine Attorney General Janet Mills Joins Preti Flaherty" Archived February 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Pre
    http://www.preti.com/Former-Attorney-General-Janet-Mills-Joins-Preti-Flaherty
  16. "Ben Grant Re-Elected as Chair of the Maine Democratic Party"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150212050302/http://www.mainedems.org/press/ben-grant-re-elected-chair-maine-democratic-party
  17. "Maine constitutional officials to take oaths"
    http://www.kjonline.com/news/Maine-constitutional-officials-to-take-oaths-.html
  18. Kennebec Journal
    http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/12/03/hayes-wins-election-as-state-treasurer/
  19. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/26/politics/split-legislature-creates-uncertain-re-election-path-for-democrats-in-maine-constitutional-offices/?ref=search
  20. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2015/01/28/politics/maine-high-court-to-weigh-questions-about-ag-mills-refusal-to-represent-lepage/
  21. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2017/05/01/politics/lepage-sues-attorney-general-for-not-representing-his-legal-positions/
  22. Press Herald
    http://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/10/maines-attorney-general-janet-mills-says-shell-run-for-governor-in-2018/
  23. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2018/06/20/politics/mills-wins-maine-democratic-gubernatorial-nomination-after-ranked-choice-count/
  24. Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2018/11/10/gov-elect-janet-mills-announces-transition-team/
  25. Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2018/09/07/democratic-super-pac-drops-almost-500k-to-back-janet-mills-for-governor/
  26. Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2018/11/18/maines-cd2-race-sets-state-spending-record-with-31m-in-spending/
  27. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2021/09/15/politics/most-mainers-like-janet-mills-pandemic-policies-paul-lepage-is-still-a-tough-matchup/
  28. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2022/11/09/1134198072/maine-election-results-governor-paul-lepage-janet-mills
  29. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-maine-governor.html
  30. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/2022-election/results/maine/statewide-offices/
  31. Kennebec Journal
    https://www.centralmaine.com/2019/01/03/mills-signs-executive-order-to-implement-medicaid-expansion/
  32. Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2019/01/22/mills-rejects-work-requirements-lepage-sought-for-medicaid-beneficiaries/
  33. newscentermaine.com
    https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/mills-is-first-governor-to-attend-portland-mlk-event-in-8-years/97-ea5c5143-c682-4c3e-83f1-14ed1c3216aa
  34. Portland Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2019/09/23/at-u-n-gov-mills-vows-maine-will-be-carbon-neutral-by-2045/
  35. bangordailynews.com
    https://bangordailynews.com/2019/09/23/politics/in-un-address-janet-mills-pledges-maine-will-be-carbon-neutral-by-2045/
  36. www.maine.gov
    http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-announces-state-civil-emergency-end-june-30th-2021-06-11
  37. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2021/06/30/politics/what-the-end-of-janet-mills-state-of-emergency-means-for-maine/
  38. www.maine.gov
    http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-welcomes-end-state-civil-emergency-2021-06-30
  39. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2021/06/24/politics/daily-brief/janet-mills-veto-spree-begins-dooming-bills-to-close-youth-jail-and-limit-pro-corridor-spending/
  40. WMTW
    https://www.wmtw.com/article/community-college-will-be-free-for-some-maine-students/39790199
  41. WGME
    https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-community-colleges-to-offer-free-tuition-for-pandemic-affected-students
  42. The Portland Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/29/gov-mills-doesnt-rule-out-challenging-susan-collins-for-u-s-senate-in-2026/
  43. newscentermaine.com
    https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/gov-mills-endorses-gideon-for-us-senate/97-0ae6d201-ff62-495f-b0a9-6ce951d87987
  44. NOTUS
    https://www.notus.org/north-carolina/roy-cooper-north-carolina-senate-race-michael-whatley
  45. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/senate-democrats-2026-elections-candidates
  46. The Portland Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2025/08/27/janet-mills-says-decision-on-possible-susan-collins-challenge-may-come-in-november/
  47. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/can-a-maine-oyster-farmer-defeat-a-five-term-republican-senator
  48. Washington Examiner
    https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/3844631/bernie-sanders-publicly-discourages-janet-mills-maine-senate-campaign-2026/
  49. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/maine-senate-graham-platner-fundraising-sanders
  50. "Scoop: Mills poised to jump into Maine Senate race"
    https://archive.today/20251007213408/https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/maine-janet-mills-poised-senate-race-announcement
  51. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/us-senate-janet-mills-maine-campaign
  52. Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrat-prematurely-announces-senate-campaign-launch-quickly-deletes-post
  53. BostonGlobe.com
    https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/14/nation/janet-mills-susan-collins-senate/
  54. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/14/politics/janet-mills-maine-senate-age-debate
  55. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/maine-mills-senate-trump-collins-e669e25547d5343cee5c3431e14e09b4
  56. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5565965-schumer-endorses-mills-maine/
  57. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/world/us/democratic-maine-governor-janet-mills-takes-us-senator-susan-collins-2025-10-14/
  58. Maine Morning Star
    https://mainemorningstar.com/2025/10/24/another-senate-candidate-drops-out-to-endorse-mills-as-platner-controversies-stack-up/
  59. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-maine-bills-984a5330d36d8e7e6fca0b18daed44ea
  60. wgme.com
    https://wgme.com/news/local/gov-mills-signs-bill-to-make-public-private-insurers-cover-abortions
  61. Bangor Daily News
    http://bangordailynews.com/2022/05/03/politics/janet-mills-vows-to-defend-abortion-rights-after-draft-supreme-court-decision-leaks/
  62. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2021/06/17/politics/maine-house-bucks-janet-mills-police-in-vote-to-decriminalize-drug-possession/
  63. pressherald.com
    https://www.pressherald.com/2019/06/17/bill-signing-makes-maine-the-4th-state-to-ban-single-use-plastic-bags/
  64. cnn.com
    https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/01/us/maine-ban-styrofoam-trnd/index.html
  65. bangordailynews.com
    https://bangordailynews.com/2019/01/29/mainefocus/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cmp-transmission-line-proposed-for-maine/
  66. bangordailynews.com
    https://bangordailynews.com/2019/02/21/business/here-are-details-of-the-deal-that-won-janet-mills-support-for-1-billion-cmp-project/
  67. necleanenergyconnect.org
    https://www.necleanenergyconnect.org/in-the-news/2019/2/21/mills-throws-her-support-behind-cmps-controversial-plan-for-transmission-line
  68. mainepublic.com
    https://www.mainepublic.org/post/new-measure-establishes-water-quality-standards-sustenance-fishing-maines-tribal-waters
  69. Bangor Daily News
    https://bangordailynews.com/2019/09/23/politics/read-gov-janet-mills-full-address-to-the-united-nations/
  70. www.maine.gov
    http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-elected-co-chair-us-climate-alliance-bipartisan-coalition-governors-leading
  71. Bangor Daily News
    https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/16/politics/elections/janet-mills-support-keeping-senate-filibuster-n6hjn1me0n/
  72. Mother Jones
    https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/janet-mills-adam-cote-nra-maine/
  73. Reason.com
    https://reason.com/2024/07/22/firearms-policy-coalition-takes-no-prisoners-in-sharp-response-to-thin-skinned-maine-governor/
  74. Maine Morning Star
    https://mainemorningstar.com/2025/09/26/gov-janet-mills-comes-out-against-proposed-red-flag-law-on-november-ballot/
  75. www.maine.gov
    http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/radio_address/vote-no-question-2-2025-09-26
  76. "I look forward to signing it! It is time for all LGBTQ people in Maine to know they are valued and respected"
    https://x.com/GovJanetMills/status/1126548998645587968
  77. "Today I signed into law a bill banning conversion therapy, a widely-discredited practice that has no place in Maine. Today, we send an unequivocal message to young LGBTQ people: we stand with you, we support you, and we will always defend your right to be who you are.pic.twitter.com/heInzibvFJ"
    https://twitter.com/GovJanetMills/status/1133752340106735618
  78. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/05/29/gay-conversion-therapy-maine-bans-controversial-practice-minors/1275028001/
  79. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/395909-maine-governor-vetoes-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy
  80. www.maine.gov
    http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations
  81. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/21/dem-governor-trump-court-022015
  82. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/us/politics/janet-mills-maine-trump.html
  83. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/trump-administration-settles-maine-funding-freeze-dispute-trans-athlet-rcna204541
  84. WGME
    https://fox23maine.com/news/local/sports-betting-bill-heads-to-gov-mills-desk
  85. mainepublic.com
    https://www.mainepublic.org/post/mills-and-state-maine-take-steps-improve-relationships-maine-s-native-tribes
  86. Morning Sentinel
    https://www.centralmaine.com/2018/12/06/indians-mascot-name-draws-defenders-opponents-at-skowhegan-meeting/
  87. bangordailynews.com
    https://bangordailynews.com/2019/05/16/politics/mills-signs-bill-to-make-maine-the-first-state-to-ban-native-american-school-mascots/
  88. Portland Press Herald
    http://www.pressherald.com/2014/09/29/husband-of-maine-attorney-general-dies-from-effects-of-stroke/
  89. Press Herald
    https://www.pressherald.com/2015/09/29/mills-siblings-hailed-for-lives-of-service/
  90. Office of Governor Janet T. Mills
    https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/about
  91. Office of Governor Janet T. Mills
    https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/radio_address/governor-mills-maine-ready-lead-2019-11-27
  92. Maine Secretary of State
    https://lldc.mainelegislature.org/Open/Elections/Returns/1994/19940614/elec_19940614r.pdf
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.