Who is Janet Mills, Maine Governor? Biography, Husband, Daughters, Career, And Net Worth
Who is Janet Mills, Governor of Maine?
Janet Trafton Mills (born December 30, 1947) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 75th governor of Maine since January 2019. She previously served as the Maine Attorney General on two occasions.
She grew up in a family with a strong tradition of public service. Her father, Sumner Peter Mills Jr., served as U.S. Attorney for Maine and was also a state legislator, following a legacy set by his own father. All four of her grandparents held public office, instilling a deep sense of civic responsibility and service in Janet from a young age.
A member of the Democratic Party, Mills was first elected Maine Attorney General by the Maine Legislature on January 6, 2009, succeeding G. Steven Rowe. Her second term began on January 3, 2013, after the term of Republican William Schneider.
She was the first woman to hold the position. Before her election, she served in the Maine House of Representatives, representing the towns of Farmington and Industry. Her party nominated her for governor of Maine in the 2018 election, and she won, defeating Republican Shawn Moody and independent Terry Hayes. On January 2, 2019, she became Maine's first female governor.
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Photo: mainewomenmagazine.com |
Early Life and Education
Mills was born in Farmington, Maine, the daughter of Katherine Louise (Coffin) and Sumner Peter Mills Jr. Her mother was a schoolteacher, and her father was a lawyer who served as U.S. Attorney for Maine in the 1950s. Mills graduated from Farmington High School in 1965. As a teenager, she spent nearly a year bedridden in a full-body cast due to severe scoliosis, which was corrected surgically.
Mills briefly attended Colby College before moving to San Francisco, where she worked as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital. She later enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Boston, from which she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1970. During her time at UMass, Mills traveled through Western Europe and became fluent in French. In 1973 she began attending the University of Maine School of Law and in 1974 she was a summer intern in Washington, D.C., for civil rights attorney Charles Morgan Jr. of the American Civil Liberties Union. Mills graduated with a JD in 1976 and was admitted to the bar.
Husband and Five Daughters
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Janet Mills and her Daughters. Photo: mainepublic.org |
Janet Mills married Stanley Kuklinski in 1985 after a chance meeting during a tennis lesson. Stanley, a widower, had five daughters from his previous marriage, and Mills embraced her role as a stepmother wholeheartedly. She developed a particularly close bond with Lisl, who was just four years old when Mills joined the family. Despite her busy career, Mills remained deeply connected to her family, frequently visiting the family homestead in Farmington.
The family endured tragedy when Stanley Kuklinski passed away in 2014 after suffering a stroke. His death was a significant loss for Mills, but she continued to draw strength from her family and her commitment to public service. She also maintained a supportive role in her brother David's life, who has been living with severe mental illness.
Career
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Janet Mills. Photo: bangordailynews.com |
Janet Mills' professional journey is marked by a series of historic firsts and a dedication to justice and equality. In 1980, she made history by becoming the first female district attorney in Maine, representing Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. Her tenure was noted for her rigorous approach to law enforcement and her pioneering role as a woman in a field dominated by men.
In 2002, Mills transitioned to a legislative role as she was elected to the Maine House of Representatives. She served four terms, actively contributing to the judiciary, criminal justice, and appropriations committees. Her work during this period helped shape significant legislative reforms and enhanced Maine’s legal framework.
In 2008, Janet Mills was elected as Maine’s first female Attorney General. Her leadership in this role focused on consumer protection, environmental advocacy, and defending civil rights. Mills' tenure was marked by her fierce independence and her commitment to upholding the law, regardless of political pressures.
Her career reached its peak in 2019 when she became the 75th Governor of Maine, making history as the state’s first female governor. Under her leadership, Maine expanded healthcare access to over 100,000 residents and achieved full funding for its schools for the first time. Her administration also successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing public health measures that led to one of the highest vaccination rates and lowest death rates in the country.
Net Worth
Janet Mills has dedicated her life to public service, which is reflected in her modest net worth. While specific financial details are not widely available, it is clear that Mills’ motivations have always been driven by a sense of duty rather than financial gain. Her primary assets include her family home in Farmington and her state income as governor.
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Maine Gov. Janet Mills confronts Donald Trump to his face over anti-trans sports order at White House |
Janet Mills and LGBTJanet Mills has always been a fighter—a fighter for Maine people and a fighter for a better future. Mills supports LGBT rights. In May 2019, she signed a bill banning conversion therapy, the pseudoscientific practice aimed at changing one's sexual orientation or gender identity, from being used on minors. Besides, Mills has enacted regulations to curb the use of materials that harm the environment. One such policy includes prohibiting the use of plastic bags by Maine retailers set to go into effect on 22 April 2020. She also signed into law a ban on the use of styrofoam containers by various industries within the state. This regulation will become effective on 1 January 2021. |
Conclusion
Janet Mills' life is a testament to perseverance, service, and breaking barriers. From her early battles with health issues to becoming Maine's first female governor, Mills has consistently demonstrated strength and leadership. Her career is characterized by a commitment to justice, public welfare, and the betterment of Maine's communities. As governor, she continues to influence Maine’s future with policies centered around equity, education, healthcare, and economic growth. Janet Mills remains a significant figure not only in Maine politics but also as a role model for women in leadership nationwide.
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