Overview

• Bernie Sanders publicly backed Graham Platner on X, calling him a working-class candidate who can defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
• Sanders warned party leaders against encouraging Gov. Janet Mills to run, saying a competitive primary would be divisive and costly.
• Axios has reported that Mills may announce a Senate campaign soon, though her plans have not been confirmed.
• Platner, an oyster farmer and veteran, says he has raised more than $3 million since launching his campaign this summer.
• Some Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, have urged Mills to consider the race, while other declared Democrats include Dan Kleban and Jordan Wood.