Governor Janet Mills of Maine is facing unprecedented challenges, with recent polling indicating nearly half of Mainers disapprove of her job performance, marking the highest disapproval rating since she took office in 2018. The University of New Hampshire Survey Center’s poll, conducted between February 13 and 17, revealed 49 percent of respondents disapproved of Mills, primarily citing concerns over state budget and finances.
Mills has garnered attention not just for her governance but also for her confrontational stance against the Trump administration, particularly following threats from President Trump to cut federal funding to Maine over its policies allowing transgender girls to participate in athletics. During a recent meeting at the White House, Mills and Trump were embroiled in heated exchanges about this contentious issue. Mills defiantly responded, 'We’ll see you in court,' after Trump threatened to withdraw federal funding.
According to the UNH poll, only 1 percent of those dissatisfied with Mills pointed to her handling of LGBTQ+ issues, illustrating the budget as the central concern for most detractors. Despite the unfavorable ratings, 48 percent of residents still back Mills, with support particularly strong among Democrats and independents, even as Republican approval plummeted to just 2 percent.
Political analysts have noted the significance of Mills’s increased visibility following her public spats with Trump, which have positioned her as both a hero and a villain dependent upon political perspectives. While Trump predicted Mills’s political demise during their exchange, the governor expressed confidence, asserting her commitment to follow both state and federal laws.
State budget issues have long been contentious; the legislature is currently engaged in negotiations to fill significant funding gaps, including a $118 million shortfall primarily impacting MaineCare. This debate reflects broader national controversies surrounding fiscal management and the responsibilities of state governors amid fluctuated economic conditions. Mills has proposed an $11.6 billion budget, including tax increases and cuts to certain health and social services, measures which have drawn bipartisan criticism.
Support for Mills’s proposals has been mixed; for example, 55 percent of survey respondents supported her plan to increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack, with significant backing from Democrats. This contrasts sharply with her lower approval rating following her conflict with Trump, which has polarized public perception of her leadership.
During the tense White House meeting, Trump emphasized federal oversight, insisting, 'We are the federal law,' to which Mills countered with her commitment to follow the laws of Maine. The exchange evoked strong reactions not just from attendees but also from broader demographics across Maine, amplifying discussions about compliance with federal rules versus state rights.
Following the confrontation, the U.S. Department of Education initiated investigations against the Maine Department of Education for potentially allowing transgender athletes to participate, highlighting the national ramifications of Mills's policies. This investigation was perceived not just as regulatory but as distinctly political, underlining Mills's assertion of broader authoritarian tendencies within the Trump administration.
Indeed, Mills has framed the conflict as emblematic of larger issues concerning civil rights and the rights of the marginalized, stating, 'No President — Republican or Democrat — can withhold federal funding authorized and appropriated by Congress and paid for by Maine taxpayers to coerce someone to compliance.'
Meanwhile, public sentiment remains deeply divided. The latest poll results indicated 43 percent of Mainers held favorable opinions of Mills, whereas 43 percent had unfavorable impressions. These divided sentiments demonstrate the challenges she faces as she navigates complex national issues, particularly those intersecting with local governance.
The core political narrative surrounding Mills will likely continue to evolve throughout her term, especially as she prepares for the 2024 elections, where her governance record and public perception will be tested against the backdrop of national debates on social justice and fiscal policy.
Moving forward, analysts suggest Mills's decisions, particularly around contentious issues like transgender rights and state funding, will be pivotal as she seeks to unify support among different voter demographics. The dual pressures of managing state finances and addressing federal directives will demand both political savvy and public accountability.