Janet Trafton Mills was born on December 30, 1947, and raised in western Maine in a working-class family of paper mill workers and educators. One of nine siblings, Mills learned early the values of hard work, independence, and community responsibility that continue to define her leadership style. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston and her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. After law school, she worked as a private attorney and later served as Maine’s first woman district attorney, prosecuting violent crimes and advocating for victims, building a reputation as a tough, fair, and principled leader.
Mills went on to serve in the Maine Legislature and was elected Attorney General of Maine twice, where she took on corporate misconduct, defended consumer protections, fought the opioid epidemic, and stood up to the Trump administration to protect healthcare and environmental safeguards. In 2018, she was elected Governor of Maine, becoming the first woman ever to hold the office. As governor, Mills has led Maine through unprecedented challenges — including the COVID-19 pandemic — while expanding healthcare access, lowering costs, investing in education and infrastructure, protecting reproductive freedom, and growing Maine’s economy. In 2025, she announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, seeking to bring Maine’s independent, people-first values to Washington and build on her record of pragmatic, results-driven leadership.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
- Lowering Costs & Strengthening the Middle Class — Mills has focused on making life more affordable for Maine families by expanding healthcare access, lowering prescription-drug costs, and investing in good-paying jobs.
- Healthcare Access & Public Health — As governor, she expanded Medicaid to tens of thousands of Mainers and strengthened rural healthcare systems; in the Senate, she plans to defend and expand affordable healthcare nationwide.
- Reproductive Freedom — Mills is a strong defender of reproductive rights, consistently standing up to extremist efforts to restrict access to abortion and healthcare.
- Economic Development & Infrastructure — She has led major investments in infrastructure, broadband expansion, clean energy, and workforce development — especially in rural communities.
- Climate Action & Environmental Protection — Mills supports protecting Maine’s natural resources, fisheries, and coastline while creating clean-energy jobs and addressing climate resilience.
- Independent, Maine-First Leadership — Known for putting people over politics, Mills emphasizes bipartisan problem-solving and practical solutions rooted in Maine’s tradition of independence.
Accomplishments & Record of Service
- First Woman Governor of Maine: Elected in 2018 and re-elected, breaking barriers and reshaping Maine’s political landscape.
- Expanded Healthcare Access: Oversaw Medicaid expansion, bringing healthcare coverage to tens of thousands of Mainers.
- Economic Growth & Fiscal Responsibility: Helped grow Maine’s economy, stabilize state finances, and invest in workforce training and small businesses.
- Public Health Leadership: Guided Maine through the COVID-19 pandemic with science-based leadership and strong outcomes.
- Attorney General Leadership: Took on big corporations, protected consumers, and defended environmental and healthcare protections.
- Trusted Statewide Leader: Consistently earned high approval ratings by delivering results across party lines.
To the federal government I say this: if your plan is to come here to be provocative and to undermine the civil rights of Maine residents, do not be confused — those tactics are not welcome here.
To the people of Maine: I know you care deeply about protecting your neighbors, as do I. And I know that many of you are angry about the potential for any enhanced federal law enforcement presence in Maine. I feel that too.
- Janet Mills
But if they come here, I want any federal agents — and the President of the United States — to know what this state stands for. We stand for the rule of law. We oppose violence. We stand for peaceful protest. We stand for compassion, for integrity and justice.