Maine Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday she supports keeping the filibuster in place, breaking with most members of the Senate Democratic Caucus she hopes to join as she launches a campaign to oust GOP Sen. Susan Collins, herself a staunch defender of the Senate’s 60-vote requirement.
“I would certainly want to retain the filibuster,” Mills said, according to the Bangor Daily News. Mills made the comments while talking to reporters after accepting the endorsement of Dan Kleban, the co-founder of Maine Beer Co. who had been running for the Democratic nomination before Mills’ entrance into the race.
Mills’ comments came on her third day in the race, which is one of the biggest in the country this year. The Democratic primary is set to be a clash between her and Graham Platner, a progressive oysterman. The winner will then have to face Collins, the only Republican senator from a state won by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
In her remarks, the 77-year-old Mills also appeared to mix up the status of the filibuster, suggesting retaining it could give senators a say over judges. The filibuster has not been in use for judicial nominations for over a decade.
“When it comes to Trump appointing 200 judges with very questionable qualifications, I would want to have a say in those judgeships, for instance,” Mills said.
