Scoop: Mills flew to California fundraisers while ICE raided Maine
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Maine Gov. Janet Mills speaks during an event that featured Northeast governors and Canadian premiers on June 16, 2025. Photo: Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Maine Gov. Janet Mills jetted off to California this week for a trio of big-dollar Senate fundraisers, leaving on the same day federal agents launched a immigration enforcement operation in her state, according to invitations shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Incumbent governors can typically seize on a public safety crisis or natural disaster to demonstrate leadership and dominate news cycles. But that only works if they are in state.
- Mills' precise whereabouts from Tuesday to Thursday of this week were a source of speculation in Maine media, after the Bangor Daily News published a grainy image of Mills boarding a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to San Francisco.
- Her staff later told the Portland Press Herald that she was heading to California for a "previously scheduled event."
What we're hearing: In fact, Mills was scheduled for three events — fundraisers in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley on Wednesday, and the East Bay on Thursday, the invitations show.
- For an "intimate dinner" Wednesday in the financial district, suggested donations ranged from $1,000 to $7,000.
- But it appears Mills cut her trip short before her planned fundraiser Thursday at noon. By Thursday morning, she held a press conference in Portland, where she referred to ICE agents as "secret police."
What they're saying: "Governor Mills was traveling for a previously scheduled event," said Mills spokesperson Tommy Garcia.
- "The Governor is in Maine, meeting with local officials and she remains in constant contact with law enforcement, local authorities, and organizations across Maine to monitor ICE activity and ensure the safety and civil rights of people across Maine are protected."
- Mills has taken an aggressive posture toward the ICE surge, saying Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Congress "should curtail funding for ICE until they stop their aggressive tactics."
Zoom out: Mills is locked in a difficult primary with oyster farmer Graham Platner, who is drawing big crowds and has the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The winner will face Collins in the general.
- Platner is converting grassroots energy into hard dollars, and raised $4.7 million last quarter, even as he was buffeted by revelations about a Nazi-linked tattoo and controversial social media posts.
- Mills, who has the support of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), is tapping the Democratic establishment's national donor network to keep up with Platner.
Between the lines: It's not unusual for incumbent senators or challengers to hold big-dollar fundraisers out of state. Both Democrats and Republicans held destination fundraisers during the government shutdown.
- Former New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu (R) was in D.C. for a fundraiser in November, as part of his comeback bid.
- Platner held a fundraiser in D.C. in December.
The other side: Platner said today that he was flying home to Maine from Norway, where he and his wife are undergoing fertility treatment.
- "Maine has been invaded by a masked secret police force," he said.
- Last week, Collins questioned "the rationale" for a large-scale immigration enforcement operation.
On Wednesday, Collins said in a statement that "people who are in this country legally should not be targets of ICE investigations" while also noting that people who entered illegally are subject to arrest.
- She also noted the $20 million for Department of Homeland Security body cameras in the appropriations bill that she hopes the Senate will pass next week.
