We Are One State and One People

November 15, 2024

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Well as we all know, last week, the American people participated in a sacred tradition that is the foundation of our democracy - the election of the next President and the Vice President of the United States.

It shouldn't come as any surprise to most of you that I was hoping Vice President Kamala Harris and my friend, Governor Tim Walz, would win that election.

But, as the Rolling Stones famously said, "You can't always get what you want."

Yes, I was disappointed in the result. But the American people have spoken - and President-elect Trump will assume office in January.

Since then, a lot of folks have asked me for my reaction. What do you think? What will your approach to the President-elect be? How will this impact your last two years in office?

Well, I've been around long enough to know that shaking the magic eight ball to predict the future does not pan out in reality, so I guess I'd just say this: while the majority of Maine people voted for the Vice President, Kamala Harris, there are a lot of people - including many in the Second Congressional District where I live and have lived most of my life - who voted for the President-elect.

The opinions and perspectives of Maine people differ. And that's the way it is.

And, we don't know what's going to happen. There's a lot of campaign talk. We're going to see how things shake out. And, you know, I disagree with the President-elect on a lot of things and a lot of the things he's said.

And you may agree or disagree with him, or with me, on a lot of things too.

At the end of the day, this is about Maine people as far as I'm concerned and what's best for you. It's always been important to me to try to be a governor for the entire state, not just for those who agree with me.

And that's why my approach to every president, regardless of who it is, is the same.

If the president does something good for Maine people, I will join and support them. If they do something that's bad for Maine people, I will oppose them with everything I have. We've done that under several different administrations.

That's no different now with a new administration in Washington.

Maine people know me.

And you know that I will do everything in my power for as long as I am your Governor to protect the future and freedoms of Maine people and Maine families and stand up for the rule of law.

And I promise you I will continue to do everything I can to keep building a state and a country where every person can have a good education, access to good healthcare, clean air and water, a good paying and fulfilling job, and be successful and create a better life for themselves and for their family and their children.

And to that end, I look forward to working with the newly elected members of our State Legislature, including Republican and Democratic legislative leadership and membership, as well as our Congressional Delegation, to keep making progress for Maine people.

We are one state and one people, and we are bound together by far more than a single election. We share a history, a broader community, and a deep, abiding affection for this place we are fortunate to call home.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.