Maine Gov. Janet Mills joined other Democratic governors in a conversation with President Joe Biden on Wednesday night as part of a White House effort to shore up support for Biden after his widely critiqued performance in the first presidential debate.
Mills wrote in a statement to Maine Morning Star that the debate was difficult to watch, but affirmed that she will continue to back Biden after the conversation, which she participated in remotely from Maine.
“The president made clear to me and the rest of the governors that he was in it to win it and that he would be making his case to the American people – and I believe him,” Mills wrote. “Over the next several months, and especially in the coming days, I look forward to the president demonstrating to the American people the same heart, determination, and vigor that he brought to our conversation this evening – qualities that I have come to know well in my time with him over the years.”
During the debate on June 27, Mills told Maine Morning Star that democracy is at stake in the November presidential election, as well as common sense and civility in the White House, which she said she had not seen from former President Donald Trump during the debate. Rather, the governor criticized Trump for deploying what she called mudslinging, name calling and “just so many fibs.”
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Reiterating this contrast in the statement Wednesday, Mills added that Biden had a record of accomplishment for Maine people, as opposed to “the chaos and ineptitude that Donald Trump would rain down on the American people.”
Reacting to debate, Gov. Mills outlines what’s at stake for Maine in presidential election
However, Mills wrote that she told Biden the debate was difficult to watch and that some Mainers shared concerns with her about his campaign, specifically anxiety over whether he could win. Mills also conveyed to Biden “that it would be good for him to reassure the voters of Maine, just as he was reassuring us,” she wrote.
Writing that the conversation was candid and constructive, Mills added, “I told him that I cared deeply about him, that I believe he has been an excellent leader for our country, and that I support him.”
In the week since the debate, Democrats have raised concerns about Biden’s performance. On Tuesday, Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so.
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Amid speculation about Biden’s future as the Democratic nominee, the White House has said Biden is “absolutely not” stepping down.
The Maine Democratic Party has also continued to show its support for the president. In a statement on Tuesday, the state party contrasted the candidates’ records on a range of issues.
“Unlike Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has delivered for Mainers by lowering costs for Maine families, creating more than 44,000 good paying jobs, investing $2.5 billion to strengthen our infrastructure, and expanding Mainers’ access to affordable health care,” the statement read.
The Maine Democratic Party is also of the belief that “the only way to defeat Donald Trump and his plans to ban abortion nationwide including here in Maine, gut access to affordable health care, and destroy our democracy is to reelect Joe Biden this November.”
Two people were taken via LifeFlight of Maine helicopter to a Bangor hospital Saturday with injuries that were considered life-threatening following a head-on collision on Kennebec River Road in Concord. Photo courtesy of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office
CONCORD — Three people were injured, two seriously, following a head-on collision at about 1 p.m., Saturday on Kennebec River Road.
Police say that Adrean Yates, 27, of Bingham, was driving north in a gray 2007 Nissan Altima, and collided with a southbound white 2011 Chevrolet pickup driven by Kade Tibbetts, 25, of Embden.
According to a Somerset County Sheriff’s Office news release, Yates and his passenger, Kennedy Humphrey, 18, of Bingham, were seriously injured in the crash. Both were taken via LifeFlight of Maine helicopter to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center with injuries that reportedly are considered life-threatening. Their condition was not immediately known Saturday evening. Also in the Nissan’s back seat was a baby in a car safety seat. The child appeared to be uninjured but was taken by ambulance to Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan as a precaution.
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Tibbetts, who was alone in his vehicle, was also taken to Redington-Fairview General Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Michael Mitchell, chief deputy in the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, said all three adults were wearing seat belts.
Kennebec River Road, which is also state Route 16, runs parallel to the western bank of the Kennebec River south of Bingham.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The lead investigator is Deputy Allen-Michael Jones, and the Maine State Police are reconstructing the crash. The Bingham and Solon fire departments and the Upper Kennebec Ambulance Service and the Anson-Madison-Starks Ambulance Service also responded.
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In a new statement, Independent Maine Senator Angus King’s office said he’s “concerned” by President Biden’s much-criticized debate performance, but stopped short of calling for him to end his re-election bid.
A spokesman for King said the president “should take every opportunity in the coming days to establish his capacity to continue the campaign and the job of the presidency through unscripted interviews and direct interactions with voters.”
“It is only through such a public process that he can demonstrate that Thursday was simply an off night and that his past ability to define the issues and seek common sense solutions remains undiminished,” spokesman Matthew Felling said in the statement Saturday.
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King is an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
Biden continues to face pressure to bow out of the race after what many, including some within his own party, saw as a listless and lifeless performance. The 81-year-old Democrat’s showing at the debate left supporters, prognosticators, and some Democratic members of Congress wondering whether he’s able to forcefully campaign against his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, and, if elected, carry out the duties of the office for another four years.
Representative Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, last week drew criticism for saying that he believed Trump will win the election. “Donald Trump is going to win. And I’m okay with that,” Golden wrote in an op-ed published in the Bangor Daily News.
Golden, a marine veteran, said he will not vote for Trump. He also stopped short of saying Biden should drop out of the race.
US Representative Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Salem who briefly ran for president in 2020, said explicitly that Biden should “step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump.”
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Others, similar to King’s statement, walked a fine line: Governor Maura Healey, who’s been a leading surrogate for Biden, said Biden should “listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump.” She added that Biden “saved our democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years.”
Jackie Kucinich of the Globe staff contributed.
Sean Cotter can be reached at sean.cotter@globe.com. Follow him @cotterreporter.
Evan Anastas, York junior midfielder: A repeat All-State selection, Anastas was named an All-American by USA Lacrosse. He recorded 49 goals and 20 assists, helping the Wildcats reach the Class B championship game for a second straight season. Anastas has committed to Bryant University.
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Indi Backman
Indi Backman, Falmouth junior defense: The defensive stalwart on a team that allowed 10 or more goals just once in 17 games, Backman had 31 caused turnovers and 57 ground balls. He also provided a little offense, with six goals and five assists. One of Falmouth’s four All-Americans, Backman has already committed to Merrimack College.
Colin Blackburn
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Colin Blackburn, Cape Elizabeth senior defense: With 101 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers, Blackburn was adept at getting the ball back into the hands of his teammates. His defensive ability was a key reason why the Capers were able to advance to a fourth consecutive Class A state championship game. Blackburn also added six goals and three assists. He’ll play lacrosse at Wentworth College in Boston.
Hayden Davis
Hayden Davis, Falmouth sophomore attack: Davis emerged as a key player in Falmouth’s run to the Class A title. He scored six goals and added an assist in the Navigators’ 18-5 win over Cape Elizabeth in the championship game. His four first-quarter goals helped stake Falmouth to the lead. The All-American finished the season with 40 goals and 32 assists.
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Gio Guerrette
Gio Guerrette, Falmouth junior midfielder: A repeat All-State selection and a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American, Guerrette was an offensive force, with 57 goals and 15 assists. He also grabbed 61 ground balls. He plans to continue his lacrosse career at Quinnipiac after he graduates from Falmouth next year.
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Joey Guerrette
Joey Guerrette, Falmouth junior midfielder: Guerrette joined his brother as an All-American this season, producing 46 goals, 27 assists and 38 ground balls for the Class A champion Navigators. He tallied three goals in the state championship game, and four in an 14-1 win over Scarborough in the semifinals. Guerrette plans to attend the University of Massachusetts, where he’ll play lacrosse.
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Ward Jenkins
Ward Jenkins, Yarmouth junior defense: The best defender for the Class B champion Clippers, Jenkins was routinely responsible for locking down the opposition’s top offensive player. A junior captain, Jenkins earned USA Lacrosse All-America honors. He recorded 35 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers. Jenkins plans to continue his lacrosse career at Maryland-Baltimore County.
Ben Kerbel
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Ben Kerbel, Scarborough senior goalie: Kerbel’s play in net was essential to the Red Storm’s improvement from five wins in 2023 to 11 wins this season as Scarborough reached the Class A semifinals. Kerbel made 232 saves and had a 62.3% save percentage. He made 19 saves in a semifinal loss to eventual state champion Falmouth. He plans to attend the University of Massachusetts and study mechanical engineering.
Keegan Lathrop
Keegan Lathrop, Cape Elizabeth senior attack: The 2023 Varsity Maine Player of the Year, Lathrop had another strong season, scoring 55 goals to go with 30 assists, 61 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers. A two-time All-American, Lathrop was a key player on a team that reached the state championship game each of his four seasons and won three Class A titles. He’ll continue his lacrosse career at the University of Delaware.
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Beckett Mehlhorn
Beckett Mehlhorn, South Portland junior attack: The Red Riots’ top scorer for three straight season, Mehlhorn scored 51 goals this season. With more attention from opposing defenses, Mehlhorn also became a strong distributor and picked up 31 assists. He was named one of the state’s 10 USA Lacrosse All-Americans. He should be one of the top offensive players in the state again as a senior in 2025.
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Colter Olson
Colter Olson, Yarmouth senior attack: The Varsity Maine Player of the Year, Olson enjoyed one of the best offensive seasons in state history, scoring 82 goals and 63 assists while leading the Clippers to the Class B championship. Olson was a leader on a young team. He assisted on the tying goal with two seconds left in the fourth quarter of the state championship game, then scored the winner in overtime. After producing more than 300 points in three seasons at Yarmouth, Olson will play at Rutgers University next season.
Chase Ranger
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Chase Ranger, Mt. Blue senior midfielder: A two-year captain for the Cougars, Ranger scored 65 goals and added 19 assists to help Mt. Blue to a 10-win season. A strong two-way player, Ranger collected more than 100 ground balls and forced more than 30 turnovers. He was selected KVAC Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. Ranger will continue his lacrosse career at St. Joseph’s College.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Geoff Arris, Deering: Under Arris, the Rams made dramatic improvement, winning 10 games and earning the No. 4 seed in the Class A playoffs. It was a four-win improvement from 2023, and just two seasons removed from a one-win campaign in 2022. This was Deering’s first winning season since 2017.
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Varsity Maine Boys’ Lacrosse Player of the Year: Colter Olson, Yarmouth
