AUGUSTA — The country’s largest reproductive rights organization is endorsing Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in the U.S. Senate race.
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund called Mills “a champion for reproductive freedom.”
“We know that Janet Mills will continue her fight for reproductive freedom in the Senate with the ferocity and dedication it demands,” Nicole Clegg, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund President and CEO, said in a statement.
Mills is in a three-way Democratic primary on the June 9 ballot. She faces Sullivan oyster farmer and veteran Graham Platner and former federal official David Costello of Brunswick.
All are hoping to take on incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Although Platner’s campaign declined to comment on the Planned Parenthood endorsement of Mills, it did release a new ad Tuesday featuring a Democratic state representative who says she was having trouble getting a bill passed to track rape kits.
Rep. Valli Geiger of Rockland said Platner helped her get the bill across the finish line.
“He campaigned on it,” she said. “We spoke to hundreds of Mainers about it. He brought in an army of volunteers to call about it. And the bill soon became law.”
Costello said he shares Mills’ support for reproductive rights.
“While I share the same mission and values in support of reproductive rights, reproductive health services, access to abortion, and women’s health generally as Gov. Mills, I understand, given her record, why the organization would endorse her candidacy,” he said.
In its endorsement, Planned Parenthood highlighted Mills’ record on reproductive rights, including the passage of a bill to allow women to have an abortion later in pregnancy with a doctor’s recommendation.
During her nearly eight years as governor, Mills also supported bills to prevent protestors from blocking abortion clinics, expanded access to contraception and directed additional funds for family planning services.
“Gov. Janet Mills is a champion for reproductive freedom and her leadership has made Maine one of the safest places for reproductive rights,” Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President and CEO, said.