In Maine, brewery owner joins push to unseat Susan Collins

"Dan Kleban, a co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, announced Wednesday that he was running for Senate in Maine, joining an expanding Democratic primary field that may not be settled for months. National party leaders are anxiously waiting to hear whether Gov. Janet Mills, a two-term Democrat, will join the list of those vying to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, the lone remaining Senate Republican in New England."

"Mills, 77, said recently that while she was "seriously considering" a run against Collins, she was unlikely to make any announcement until mid-November. "I'm not in any rush to make a decision," she told reporters. But Kleban, 48, is not waiting for Mills to decide, hoping his personal story - a college dropout from a middle-class family who went on to found a successful brewery - will appeal to voters. He's drawing on his company's motto, "Do what's right," to ground his campaign."

""I just don't think Susan Collins is up to the job anymore," Kleban said in an interview. But before taking on Collins, 72, Kleban must navigate a primary contest that already includes Graham Platner, 40, an oyster farmer and former Marine, and Jordan Wood, a former congressional aide. Notably, Kleban, a political newcomer, did not pledge to continue his run if Mills ultimately enters the race."

Dan Kleban, 48, co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, announced a Democratic Senate campaign in Maine, entering an expanding primary. Kleban highlights his personal story as a college dropout from a middle-class family who founded a successful brewery and uses his company's motto, "Do what's right," to ground his campaign. Other Democratic contenders include Graham Platner, 40, an oyster farmer and former Marine, and Jordan Wood, a former congressional aide. Gov. Janet Mills, 77, said she was "seriously considering" a run but is unlikely to announce a decision until mid-November. Kleban has not pledged to continue if Mills enters.

Read at Boston.com