BANGOR -- We asked political expert and University of Maine Political Science Chair Mark Brewer to weigh in on Governor Mills' announcement and her candidacy. Brewer says out of the gate, she's the democratic front-runner.

At the same time, Brewer says newcomer Graham Platner is gathering a lot of momentum. If the two go head-to-head and run overly aggressive campaigns, hurling insults and attacks, that could hurt their chances against Collins regardless of who would emerge as the democratic candidate. It could also further divide the democratic party and voters. He says it all comes down to how they play it.

"Mills and Platner, along with the other candidates who end up staying in the race, really make this about issues and policy, who's best positioned to take on not only Senator Colli

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