AUGUSTA — Following Thursday’s bombshell announcement that Gov. Janet Mills is out of the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, another candidate says he’s sticking with the race.

David Costello, 65, spent decades working in local, state and federal government. He knows he’s a long shot against oyster farmer Graham Platner, who has dominated headlines and the polls for months.

But in a Thursday statement, Costello reiterated his commitment to the campaign.

“I have no intention of dropping out,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to offer Mainers a well-rounded and experienced option in the race to replace Senator Collins in the U.S. Senate.”

That experience includes 25 years of work in senior government positions in Maine, Maryland and Washington D.C.

Costello grew up in Old Town in what he describes as “a working-class family.” His father was a labor organizer who died at age 31, which left Costello, his three siblings and his mother to move in with her parents.

Costello started working early to help out the family and spent many years without health insurance.

“I think that kind of background is one that many in Maine who no longer vote for Democrats can relate to,” he said.

When voters head to the polls June 9, those who pull a Democratic ballot will be able to choose between Costello and Platner. Polls show Platner, a military veteran who’s faced criticism for past social media posts, with a commanding lead.

Both are competing to take on Collins, a Republican seeking a sixth term. Democrats hope to take control of the Senate by flipping four seats, with Maine considered a top pick-up opportunity. 

This is Costello’s second run for the U.S. Senate. He ran two years ago against independent Sen. Angus King, finishing third behind King and Republican Demi Kouzounas with 11% of the vote.

During an event at a Topsham retirement community last week, Costello pitched himself as an experienced alternative worthy of serious consideration. He told the crowd that whoever wins the primary won’t have any trouble getting the money necessary to take on Collins.

In addition to his work stateside, Costello spent time abroad with U.S. AID, an international program recently subjected to deep cuts by the Trump administration.

“I think that sort of hands-on, management experience, managing complex multimillion dollar programs and operations, both in Maine, Maryland, Washington DC and abroad, provides that kind of perspective that’s so sorely needed in Washington today,” he said.

Like Platner, Costello supports universal health care — specifically Medicare for all. Costello wants to see the federal government fund universal childcare, help first-time homebuyers and renters, and increase the national minimum wage.

He wants to ensure the solvency of Social Security by lifting the cap on earnings subject to the tax, which is currently set at about $185,000. He supports a wealth tax targeting millionaires and billionaires, both as a way to generate revenue but also to rebalance the federal tax structure.

With just six weeks to go until the primary — and with early voting starting as soon as May 11 — Costello knows he’s short on time.

“That’s the challenge,” he said. “How do I become known?”