Democratic Candidate Exits Senate Race, Backs Janet Mills

Daira Smith-Rodriguez, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, has suspended her campaign and endorsed Maine Governor Janet Mills. In a statement posted on her campaign website on Thursday, Smith-Rodriguez expressed concerns over comments made by fellow candidate Graham Platner, labeling them as “profoundly troubling and disqualifying.”

In her statement, Smith-Rodriguez, a former Air Force civilian contractor from Biddeford, emphasized the need for a unified Democratic front against Republican opponents. “It has become clear that Republicans are eager to see a crowded Democratic primary that divides our voices and strengthens theirs,” she stated. “I will not allow that to happen.”

Smith-Rodriguez highlighted the pressing issues faced by Mainers, such as affordability, healthcare, housing, and climate change. However, she also addressed her personal experience as a survivor of military sexual assault, stating, “I cannot, in good conscience, indicate support or remain silent if there is even a possibility that someone who questions the reality of this crisis could be elevated to the United States Senate.”

Her remarks were directed at Platner, who has faced scrutiny for past comments on social media that downplayed the severity of sexual assault in the military and included derogatory remarks about rural residents, law enforcement, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Jordan Wood, another Democratic candidate in the race, echoed Smith-Rodriguez’s sentiments earlier this week, calling for Platner’s withdrawal from the race. Wood condemned Platner’s comments and pointed to the controversy surrounding a tattoo he had that resembled a Nazi symbol, which he has since covered up. “Graham Platner’s Reddit comments and Nazi SS Totenkopf tattoo are disqualifying and not who we are as Mainers or as Democrats,” Wood stated in a written statement.

Smith-Rodriguez endorsed Governor Mills, praising her leadership qualities. “She leads with courage, conviction, and an unrelenting drive to deliver results for all Mainers,” Smith-Rodriguez remarked.

Despite the controversies surrounding Platner, recent polling indicates he holds a significant lead in the Democratic primary. According to a survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 58% of 510 Democratic primary voters expressed support for Platner, compared to 24% for Mills. This poll was conducted largely before many of Platner’s recent controversies had emerged.

The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, in the general election scheduled for November 2026. As the race unfolds, the dynamics within the Democratic Party may significantly impact its chances against Collins, underscoring the importance of candidate alignment and public perception.