Reproductive Rights Groups Are Making a Strategic Error by Endorsing Pro-Filibuster Candidate Mills Over Platner
Source: Susan Rinkunas. "Janet Mills vs. Graham Platner: Abortion rights could be on the line in Maine.." March 17, 2026. slate.com
The Gist
The author argues that abortion rights groups are shooting themselves in the foot by backing a candidate who supports keeping Senate rules that would block the very abortion protections these groups want to pass. They should instead support the candidate who wants to eliminate those blocking rules entirely.
Conclusion
Reproductive rights organizations are undermining their own goals by endorsing Janet Mills, who supports maintaining the Senate filibuster that would block abortion rights legislation, instead of Graham Platner, who supports eliminating the filibuster entirely
Premises
- The Senate filibuster requires 60 votes to pass legislation, making it nearly impossible for Democrats to pass abortion rights protections even with a majority
- Janet Mills supports keeping the filibuster (with minor reforms), which would prevent passage of federal abortion rights legislation
- Graham Platner supports completely eliminating the filibuster, which would allow abortion rights legislation to pass with a simple majority
- EMILY's List and Reproductive Freedom for All previously withdrew support from Senator Kyrsten Sinema specifically because she refused to reform the filibuster for voting rights
- Polling shows Platner leading Mills by 38 points in the primary and performing better against Susan Collins in the general election
- Mills' justification for keeping the filibuster is factually incorrect, as it no longer applies to judicial nominations
Assumptions
- Democrats will need to pass federal legislation to effectively restore abortion rights nationwide
- The filibuster is the primary obstacle preventing such legislation
- Reproductive rights groups should prioritize policy outcomes over candidate electability or establishment credentials
- Past organizational positions on the filibuster should guide current endorsement decisions for consistency