Gov. Janet Mills Takes Aim at Sen. Collins with Controversial New Ad
In a strategic move to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, Gov. Janet Mills has launched her first advertisement, which prominently features a condemnation of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This decision comes as Democratic leaders across the nation increasingly capitalize on public discontent regarding ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics.
The new television spot, first unveiled to POLITICO, juxtaposes alarming news footage of ICE agents making forceful arrests with segments from Mills’ recent State of the State address. Here, Mills expresses her strong opposition to the agency’s practices: “Our federal government has deployed masked law enforcement onto the streets, including here in Maine, stoking fear in our communities and killing American citizens in Minnesota. It’s ridiculous, outrageous, and unconstitutional.”
This six-figure advertising campaign is set to launch statewide on Friday, with a presence across both broadcast and digital platforms for a two-week period. The timing is crucial, as immigration enforcement has emerged as a hot-button political issue, with voter dissatisfaction towards ICE raids prompting Democrats to engage more vigorously on a topic that had previously bolstered Republican support.
The backlash against ICE’s recent actions in Maine, referred to as Operation Catch of the Day by Homeland Security, has been significant. Local Democrats and leaders have spotlighted instances where residents were detained despite holding valid work permits and having clean criminal records. The anger was further stoked by the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend, which resonated deeply within Maine’s communities.
In a notable response, Collins announced on Thursday that ICE would be suspending its operations in the Pine Tree State. However, the repercussions of this intensified enforcement still linger, prompting Mills to adopt the ICE issue as a focal point in her campaign, indicating her belief in its lasting relevance.
Mills isn’t the only one targeting Collins on this front. Political newcomer and oysterman Graham Platner has also criticized the senator regarding ICE, organizing protests outside her offices in both Portland and Bangor on Thursday. Platner, who has previously aired ads questioning Mills’ commitment when she first entered the Senate race last fall, is ramping up his campaign with new biographical advertisements and intends to maintain a presence on the airwaves leading up to the June primary.
Conclusion
As Mills positions herself against Collins, the intersection of immigration policy and public sentiment will likely play a decisive role in the upcoming election. This ad not only highlights the contentious nature of ICE’s operations but also serves as a microcosm of the broader Democratic strategy to reclaim ground on an issue that has shifted in political importance. With both Mills and Platner vocal in their opposition to Collins, the Maine Senate race promises to be a compelling narrative filled with intense debates and passionate rhetoric.
