Janet Mills

Janet Mills. She is an American attorney and politician serving as the 75th Governor of Maine since 2019, a member of the Democratic Party. Mills previously served as the Attorney General of Maine, the first woman to hold that office, and as the District Attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. Her tenure as governor has focused on expanding Medicaid, addressing the opioid crisis, and promoting renewable energy initiatives.

Early life and education

Janet Mills was born in Farmington, Maine, to Sumner Peters Mills and Katherine Maynard Mills. Her father served as a Massachusetts state legislator and later as the Postmaster of Farmington. She graduated from Farmington High School before attending University of Massachusetts Boston, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Mills subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in Portland. During her early career, she worked as a teacher at her former high school and as an instructor at Oakland High School.

Legal and political career

Mills began her legal career as an assistant attorney general under then-Attorney General Joseph E. Brennan. In 1980, she was elected as the District Attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties, becoming the first woman to serve as a DA in New England. She served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008, representing parts of Farmington. Mills was first appointed as the Attorney General of Maine in 2009 by the Maine Legislature, serving under Governor John Baldacci. She was reappointed to the position in 2013 and served throughout much of the administration of Governor Paul LePage, often clashing with him on legal issues.

Governorship of Maine

Mills was elected Governor of Maine in the 2018 election, defeating Republican nominee Shawn Moody and becoming the first woman to hold the office. She was sworn in on January 2, 2019, succeeding Paul LePage. Key early actions included authorizing the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and establishing the Maine Climate Council to address climate change. Her administration faced significant challenges, including leading the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills was reelected in the 2022 election, defeating former Governor Paul LePage in a rematch. Her policy agenda has included significant investments in renewable energy, broadband expansion, and childcare.

Political positions and public image

Mills is considered a moderate within the Democratic Party. She has championed progressive policies such as paid family and medical leave, strict gun safety laws following the Lewiston shootings, and protecting abortion access. However, she has also vetoed several more liberal bills from the Maine Legislature, including measures on utility ownership and minimum wage increases for agricultural workers. Her public image is that of a pragmatic, data-driven leader, though she has faced criticism from both the left flank of her party and from Republican opponents on fiscal and regulatory matters.

Personal life

Mills was married to Stanley Kuklinski, a professor at the University of Southern Maine, from 1999 until their divorce in 2014; she has five stepchildren from that marriage. An avid runner, she has completed several marathons, including the Mount Desert Island Marathon. Mills is a resident of the Blaine House, the official governor's residence in Augusta. She is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Category:1947 births Category:Governors of Maine Category:University of Massachusetts Boston alumni Category:University of Maine School of Law alumni