Another Democrat is joining the crowded race to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Maine brewery owner Dan Kleban, 48, announced his Senate bid in a kickoff video Wednesday, criticizing Collins for her perceived lack of advocacy for Mainers. He argued that Collins has not been looking out for the state’s interests and has lied about protecting abortion rights. Kleban also criticized Collins for not standing up to Donald Trump when it really matters.
In an interview with POLITICO, Kleban stated that prices are ‘too damn high’ and that he agrees with the so-called Abundance movement aimed at bringing costs down, even before he heard of the Abundance movement. He also expressed his disagreement with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ recent resolution to block arms sales to Israel, a contentious issue within the Democratic Party.
Kleban believed that Israel has the right to defend itself and that disarming Israel would not resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Senate Democrats are targeting Maine in their long-shot campaign to take back the Senate, with many top Democrats encouraging Gov. Janet Mills to enter the race. Mills has said she is ‘seriously considering’ a run and will make a decision by mid-November. Sanders-endorsed oyster farmer Graham Platner and former End Citizens United Vice President Jordan Wood are also vying for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine.
When asked whether he would stay in the bate if Mills decided to run, Kleban was noncommittal. ‘If Gov. Mills decides to get into the race, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,’ he said.