Politics
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HALLOWELL, Maine — John Merrill’s face lit up when a reporter asked how he felt about Gov. Janet Mills’ announcement that she would drop her bid for the U.S. Senate, paving the way for Graham Platner to take the Democratic nomination.
“She dropped out today?” he said, eyes wide. “I didn’t hear!”
He wasn’t surprised because he has been watching the polls. Merrill is outspoken about his progressive politics. The shop has a Platner campaign sign in the window, along with various other signs lambasting President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
“He’s the only politician, frankly, I’ve ever heard come right out and tell people, flat out, that it’s billionaires that are a big part of the problem,” Merrill said.
Platner’s progressive populist campaign has taken off in large part due to support in places like Hallowell, which is one of the most liberal places in Maine despite being in politically mixed Kennebec County. Mills’ announcement led to a mix of excitement and apathy on Water Street, a nightlife hub that lawmakers often use as an escape from the State House.
Not all Democrats in town felt the same. Steve Marson, a longtime businessman in the area who lives in Pittsfield, said he has no plans to switch his registration from Democrat to Republican but has voted red for years. He plans to vote for Collins this fall.
He said his party has gotten “way too progressive,” citing angst over taxes as a small business owner. He blamed much of that on Mills’ administration in Augusta and worried about the lack of power a freshman would have compared with Collins, who is seeking a sixth term and chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. But he respected Platner as a “hard-working guy.”
“If he beats Susan Collins, I would stand behind and support him, because he’s … like me,” he said.
Collins’ seniority also stuck out to Rebecca Foster, a registered Democrat from Augusta who said she would probably vote for Platner even though she feels the senator’s power is useful to Maine.
“I wonder what we’re going to lose by her power in Washington, because I know it does filter back to Maine,” she said.
Her daughter, Hallowell resident Sarah Sandlin, said she “loves” Susan Collins, citing the senator’s reputation as a moderate. So far, she likes Platner as well, but wants to be sure Platner is “not just pushing a particular political agenda” and doesn’t know how she will vote in November.
“They’ve been talking about ousting Susan Collins for a while, and she continues to surprise us,” she added. “This will be exciting to see.”
Daniel O’Connor is a Report for America corps member who covers rural government as part of the partnership between the Bangor Daily News and The Maine Monitor, with additional support from BDN and Monitor readers.