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Jack Valentino

(4,478 posts)
120. His opponent, Janet Mills:
Tue Jan 20, 2026, 11:56 PM
22 hrs ago

Based on her actions as Governor of Maine leading into her 2025-2026 U.S. Senate campaign, Janet Mills has developed a record that has drawn criticism from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. While she is viewed as a moderate and a key opponent of1 Donald Trump, her, use of the veto pen on labor, housing, and tribal issues, along with a fiscally conservative approach, has created friction with the left.
Here are the specific, more conservative actions taken by Governor Mills that have made her less acceptable to the progressive left:

1. Vetoing Key Labor and Worker Rights Bills
Opposed Expanded Collective Bargaining: Mills vetoed legislation in 2024 that would have strengthened collective bargaining rights by banning anti-union intimidation tactics.
Axed Noncompete Agreement Ban: She killed a bill that would have banned restrictive noncompete agreements, which labor advocates argued restricted worker mobility.
Weakened Farmworker Protections: While she eventually signed a version of a bill setting a $14.65 minimum wage for farmworkers, she removed critical enforcement provisions, limiting its impact.
Vetoed "Buy Local" Requirements: She vetoed legislation that would have required state government contracts to prioritize local Maine businesses over multinational corporations.
Opposed Overtime Protections: She vetoed a bill that would have required the state to study the issue of paper mill workers being forced to work excessive overtime.

2. Fiscal and Economic Conservatism
Conservative Budgeting/Surplus Retention: Critics from the left argue that Mills’ administration has been too conservative in forecasting, resulting in unnecessary, large budget surpluses rather than investing in social programs or infrastructure.
Opposed Raising Taxes on the Wealthy: She opposed 2024 tax reform proposals intended to raise taxes on wealthy residents to balance the budget, drawing criticism for prioritizing corporate interests.
Opposed Rent Control/Tenant Protection: In 2019, she blocked tenant protection reforms that would have mandated more notice before rent hikes and evictions, citing burdens on business.

3. Stances on Social and Justice Issues
Vetoed Youth Prison Closure: A significant point of criticism from progressives was her veto of a proposal to close the Long Creek Youth Development Center, a facility critics have described as unsafe and punitive.
"Yellow Flag" Gun Law Defense: Following the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, she resisted calls for a "Red Flag" law (which allows for the temporary removal of firearms from dangerous individuals), choosing instead to stand by Maine’s existing "Yellow Flag" law, which is seen as a compromise by gun control advocates.
Supported Filibuster: Mills has stated her support for retaining the U.S. Senate filibuster, which many progressive Democrats want to eliminate to pass legislation with a simple majority.
Opposition to Drug Decriminalization: She has expressed opposition to the decriminalization of drug possession, putting her at odds with reformers on the far left.

4. Tribal Relations and Environmental Issues
Vetoed Tribal Sovereignty Bills: Mills has faced intense backlash for vetoing legislation aimed at enhancing tribal sovereignty, including a bill that would have ensured Wabanaki Nations received the same federal rights as other Native American tribes.
Legal Challenges Against Tribes: As governor, her administration has been accused of "environmental racism" by tribal leaders for legal challenges involving water quality standards and fishing rights on the Penobscot River.

5. Environmental Policy
Stance on Clean Energy Jobs: She killed a permitting reform bill designed to accelerate offshore wind projects because it included a mandate for union jobs, a move that drew ire from labor-aligned environmentalists.

6. Opposing Federal Action
Criticized ACA Subsidy Deal: In late 2025, she drew criticism for calling a bipartisan deal to reopen the federal government a "lousy deal," arguing it didn't do enough to immediately address Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies, a move seen by some as obstructionist rather than constructive.
These actions have caused her support among Democrats to drop in some polls, leading to a competitive primary challenge from progressive candidates in her bid for the Senate, particularly with support from figures like Bernie Sanders for her opponents.


Most of those things 'give me "pause' over Janet Mills--- more than what some say was a 'nazi tattoo' that Platner has since covered up.....
which most likely was not labeled as a 'nazi tattoo' at the tattoo shop where he got it....


It's up to the Democratic primary voters in Maine, I will support whomever they nominate as an out-stater---
but some of the things Mills has actually DONE against progressive policy
concern me a little more than anything Platner had tattooed on his body which he has since covered up...


Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Question JustAnotherGen Yesterday #1
I guess you didn't watch the interview. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #3
use your gut berksdem Yesterday #6
Watch the interview, or not. ariadne0614 Yesterday #8
I already watched it thanks. berksdem Yesterday #10
I do hold him accountable, and his responses to tough questions impressed me. ariadne0614 Yesterday #17
I HAVE watched the entire interview JustAnotherGen 7 hrs ago #144
His Reddit posts were discussed, but please explain how to look them up with one's guts. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #21
don't get mad berksdem Yesterday #24
Autumn is on my side, and you're mistaking enthusiasm for swooning. ariadne0614 Yesterday #32
JFC berksdem Yesterday #48
Calm down. ariadne0614 Yesterday #60
I've never in my life heard any self-described "radical feminist" say that an average white guy had "potent magic" but WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #52
I am a wonderment, it is true. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #108
This Magic Moment 🎶 sheshe2 11 hrs ago #127
Post removed Post removed Yesterday #65
I appreciate your terror. ariadne0614 Yesterday #97
I don't trust anyone's judgement who advocates for public hangings or private hangings Buckeyeblue 14 hrs ago #123
Nope fuck this guy. His judgment is shit. WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #2
You do you. ariadne0614 Yesterday #7
I listened to him and I am fine with his explaations. I like him. Young and has gotten his Autumn Yesterday #11
Thank you Autumn. ariadne0614 Yesterday #14
As for the tattoo nonsense I have known many young people who have tattoos that Autumn Yesterday #16
He's got some potent magic. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #22
Getting a Nazi death head tattoo is bad, leaving it on for over decade is worse IMO EX500rider Yesterday #55
And he explained the tattoo he and his fellow soldiers got. nt Autumn Yesterday #58
Again getting a Nazi SS tattoo while drunk on leave is one thing, leaving it there for over a decade is another IMO YMMV EX500rider Yesterday #62
Yah, if all the other soldiers are doing it, it must be okay! betsuni Yesterday #67
You may not know this but men who serve together have a tight bond. nt Autumn Yesterday #72
No ne in my family in the military ever got a Nazi tat obamanut2012 Yesterday #80
When he found out it was a nazi tattoo he had it covered. So AFAIC that's the end of that. Autumn Yesterday #85
This is an awfully slippery slope nt mr715 Yesterday #81
So, you know people who got Nazi tats and still have them over a decade later? obamanut2012 Yesterday #79
You are doing exactly what the RW does obamanut2012 Yesterday #78
I'm lost on this one. ariadne0614 Yesterday #110
Bernie has been wrong before. I don't trust anyone with a Nazi tattoo and posts online that reinforce that. mucholderthandirt 14 hrs ago #124
I'm sorry if I left the impression that I expect anyone, including myself, to ignore his past. ariadne0614 9 hrs ago #136
He discredited himself quite well Blue_Adept 10 hrs ago #133
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #75
I like Democrats who don't have Nazi problems in their past, personally. tritsofme Yesterday #4
If I thought for one minute he was a Nazi, I wouldn't have posted the interview. ariadne0614 Yesterday #12
Plenty of posts about him here MichMan Yesterday #25
Thanks. ariadne0614 Yesterday #29
It wasn't just a "past" problem.... TommyT139 Yesterday #43
The "establishment" lol awesomerwb1 Yesterday #5
Actually, if I lived in Maine, I'd work my heart out for him. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #26
Good for you. I'm sure questionable people like this crazy dude need the money awesomerwb1 Yesterday #30
It's seriously difficult to imagine watching this interview and concluding he's crazy. ariadne0614 Yesterday #31
It's not. Do you like his Nazi tattoo as well? awesomerwb1 Yesterday #33
Is that a serious question? ariadne0614 Yesterday #36
lol Of course he's gonna "own up" awesomerwb1 Yesterday #38
Because Trump has made owning up all the fashion on the Nazi side of the equation. ariadne0614 Yesterday #63
He did plenty of stupid stuff when he was over 30, too. WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #64
He isn't just turning 21! mr715 Yesterday #82
It's cute how you think you're the first one to "introduce" awesomerwb1 Yesterday #66
His opponent, Janet Mills: Jack Valentino 22 hrs ago #120
I'm sure they would make me cringe. ariadne0614 Yesterday #70
"This doesn't sound like something your average Nazi would do." lol what WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #51
as if he and his mommy aren't the establishment thebigidea Yesterday #89
Remember when Fetterman was the be all to save all..... Historic NY Yesterday #9
My gut told me from the beginning that there was something off about Fetterman. ariadne0614 Yesterday #13
So you didn't agree with the judgement of Sanders regarding Fetterman but say we should trust his judgement here? W_HAMILTON Yesterday #44
I never once saw him that way. I saw him clearly for what he is. Autumn Yesterday #23
I'm more impressed... 2naSalit Yesterday #15
I'm sure Governor Mills is a fine person. ariadne0614 Yesterday #19
Are you... 2naSalit Yesterday #20
No, I'm just an American who would love to see Democrats take back the Senate. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #27
Age-baiting is so last generation Torchlight 9 hrs ago #135
Mills is the AIPAC candidate and so whoever the republican nominee will be aipac supported questionseverything Yesterday #34
Maine Senate Race Moves To Toss Up With Mills' Entrance LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #84
He's drawing crowds of elderly people leftstreet Yesterday #18
Interesting. I didn't use my gut to find information on endorsements. ariadne0614 Yesterday #28
"...on both sides..." TommyT139 Yesterday #46
Yes! ariadne0614 Yesterday #49
I was referring TommyT139 Yesterday #92
I think its more like, he is the key to ensuring Susan Collins gets another term FascismIsDeath Yesterday #35
Perhaps not. ariadne0614 Yesterday #59
Some people say he rzemanfl Yesterday #37
I don't understand "one white guy who can save the Democratic Party from itself." betsuni Yesterday #39
In 2007 a Marine Gunnery Sgt. estimated that 92% of about 8,000 Marines rzemanfl Yesterday #40
You get that it was a very specific skull and crossbones that was a hallmark of the SS, right? Not the Jolly Roger? WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #45
I have not seen a picture. Have you? rzemanfl Yesterday #54
I'm familiar with the totenkopf, and the video and screenshots that went around a lot last October make it clear that's WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #57
This tattoo? Quite plainly the SS-Totenkopf tattoo EX500rider Yesterday #61
Agreed. n/t rzemanfl Yesterday #68
I agree the tattoo is a Nazi Death Head (totenkopf). rzemanfl Yesterday #73
Seriously? Cirsium Yesterday #88
Thank you. rzemanfl Yesterday #91
Hey, thanks for listening in good faith. WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #100
Maybe the tattooist rzemanfl Yesterday #109
They said the same about John Fetterman. W_HAMILTON Yesterday #41
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #42
I doubt his crowds are "Genocide Joe" people leftstreet Yesterday #47
Another start at the top political con. delisen Yesterday #50
If I recall the same views were expressed how Fetterman was the "great liberal hope" over the "establishment" lostincalifornia Yesterday #53
I don't live in Maine mountain grammy Yesterday #56
I do live in Maine chelsea0011 Yesterday #93
Thank you for your response. I have a couple of questions. mountain grammy Yesterday #95
All that matters to me right now is winning elections BannonsLiver Yesterday #69
Judging from only this one interview, I think he would agree with you. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #71
This is why we have primaries. nt mr715 Yesterday #74
He is problematic. mr715 Yesterday #76
lol no, I want someone without Nazi tats, who doesn't hit women and who didn't work as a mercenary obamanut2012 Yesterday #77
MaddowBlog-Maine's Graham Platner faces difficult questions about his record -- and a tattoo LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #83
This post, on its own, would give pause to any reasonable voter. ariadne0614 Yesterday #113
I watched the entire video, I like him. Americanme Yesterday #86
I don't believe in saviors, I believe in passing legislation that helps my family thebigidea Yesterday #87
I don't believe in saviors either. ariadne0614 Yesterday #105
Curious MorbidButterflyTat Yesterday #90
If Democrats win back the Senate, the pressure will come from fed up We the People. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #94
Do you truly believe that tsf would actually sign it or... sheshe2 Yesterday #104
Yup, we need both the House and Senate. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #114
That's not enough if the president won't sign it. sheshe2 22 hrs ago #118
Call me delusional, but if our side regains the Senate and House, then anything is possible if ariadne0614 Yesterday #103
Sorry. This is the kind of unicorn thinking that turned me off of the Sanders movement. Blasphemer 22 hrs ago #121
History mr715 8 hrs ago #140
Could be the right messenger at the right time + the cumulative decades of effort. ariadne0614 6 hrs ago #145
Could be, but you don't need to be a Senator to lead. mr715 6 hrs ago #146
I guess we'll find out soon enough. ariadne0614 38 min ago #148
The DSCC and Janet Mills have formed a joint fundraising committee together. LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #96
Sincere question. ariadne0614 Yesterday #99
I am Jewish and have an issue with someone with a NAZI tattoo LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #107
I have deep respect your preference. ariadne0614 Yesterday #112
I don't understand the "one white guy" headline. Was that in an article or something? marmar Yesterday #98
Fair question. ariadne0614 Yesterday #101
Look up stories from last year about his choice of tattoos. Iggo 11 hrs ago #129
I'll be voting for Janet Mill's in the primary. If your candidate wins, I will vote for him. OAITW r.2.0 Yesterday #102
Makes perfect sense to me. n/t ariadne0614 Yesterday #106
Ranked Choice voting,,,,democracy in action. OAITW r.2.0 Yesterday #111
I'm all in favor of ranked choice voting. ariadne0614 Yesterday #115
Gov. MAGA Paul got elected in Maine when 60+% voted for two other candidates..... OAITW r.2.0 Yesterday #116
Oh boy! Let the rebranding begin! Iggo 23 hrs ago #117
Still? Really? Has Trump taught us nothing. Gimme a break. nt Blasphemer 22 hrs ago #119
Running against the Democratic Party: Establishment beholden to corporate interests ignore working class, both sides. betsuni 20 hrs ago #122
Dude had a nazi tattoo on his chest for years. Got called out last year and covered it up. Iggo 11 hrs ago #128
Only got called out because there was a video of him running around shirtless during a wedding reception that surfaced MichMan 10 hrs ago #130
Looking at his background, I would venture he's a Repub plant Just_Vote_Dem 12 hrs ago #125
I'm guessing there's more than one... whathehell 11 hrs ago #126
You're absolutely right. ariadne0614 10 hrs ago #131
I take issue with a repeated point you are making. mr715 8 hrs ago #139
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify. ariadne0614 49 min ago #147
Thank you for taking the time to reply. mr715 28 min ago #149
Is this a trial balloon or is this the actual roll-out? Iggo 7 hrs ago #141
It would surprise me if you thought he was intellectually deficient if you listened to the interview. ariadne0614 7 hrs ago #142
Belief that working class are white men (who Democrats are accused of ignoring in favor of "identity politics"): betsuni 7 hrs ago #143
nazi tattoo + Blackwater employment nope waddirum 10 hrs ago #132
I appreciate your input. ariadne0614 10 hrs ago #134
it's on his wiki page EX500rider 9 hrs ago #137
Thank you very much. ariadne0614 8 hrs ago #138
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Meet Graham Platner. Here...»Reply #120