Another Democrat is jumping into the crowded race to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Maine brewery owner Dan Kleban, 48, announced in a kickoff video Wednesday that he is mounting a Senate bid because Collins has “been in Washington for 30 years, she stopped looking out for us, she lied about protecting abortion rights, and she refuses to stand up to Donald Trump when it really matters.”
In an interview with POLITICO, Kleban said prices are “too damn high” and that he agreed with much of the so-called Abundance movement aimed at bringing costs down “before I even heard of the Abundance movement.” He also said he does not support Sen. Bernie Sanders’ recent resolution to block arms sales to Israel, a contentious issue that has roiled the Democratic Party.
“I believe Israel has a right to defend itself. I don’t think that we solve the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza by disarming Israel and exposing them to harm,” said Kleban.
Senate Democrats are targeting Maine in their long-shot campaign to take back the Senate, and many top Democrats are 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.
Asked whether he would stay in the race if Mills threw her hat in the ring, Kleban was noncommittal.
“If Gov. Mills decides to get into the race, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” he said.
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