The Portland Press Herald recently reported that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has said she is seriously considering a run for Senate and may make a decision by November. Dragging things out like this is no service to anyone. Let’s hope she decides not to run. I’m pretty sure that few of us are excited about seeing two old ladies duking it out, despite the strong service records on each side.

If the national Democrats are still advocating for Janet Mills to run, we can tell that the party is content to be mired in its unsuccessful past. But it should be clear that the Democrats need a new direction, and perhaps they need to see if the productive direction is that taken by Graham Platner. Politicians need to connect, and, unlike Susan Collins, who never holds town meetings, Platner is all over the state, connecting with all sorts of voters. There are other interesting candidates, too.

It is not really surprising that Sen. Collins has been reelected so many times, as the Democrats have run so many good-hearted but unexciting candidates against her. It would be revealing to see what happens if she faces a truth-telling firebrand.

Gov. Mills should step back and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Paul Kalkstein
Arrowsic