Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Janet Mills

Discover the career path of Janet Mills, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Janet Trafton Mills is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as the 75th governor of Maine, a position she has held since 2019. Prior to her governorship, Mills served as Maine's Attorney General for four nonconsecutive two-year terms, from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2019. Her career reflects a long-standing involvement in Maine's legal and political landscape.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1974: Summer Internship

In 1974, Janet Mills had a summer internship in Washington, D.C., for civil rights attorney Charles Morgan Jr. of the American Civil Liberties Union.

1976: Graduated with Juris Doctor

In 1976, Janet Mills graduated with a Juris Doctor degree and was admitted to the bar.

1976: Appointed Assistant Attorney General

In 1976, Janet Mills was appointed as Maine's first female criminal prosecutor by Governor Joe Brennan, and became an assistant attorney general, prosecuting homicides and other major crimes.

1980: Elected District Attorney

In 1980, Janet Mills was elected district attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties, becoming the first woman district attorney in New England.

1994: Unsuccessful Congressional Run

In 1994, Janet Mills ran unsuccessfully for the United States Congress in Maine's 2nd congressional district, losing the Democratic primary to John Baldacci.

1998: Elected to Maine Women's Lobby Board

In 1998, Janet Mills co-founded the Maine Women's Lobby and was elected to its board of directors.

2000: Field Coordinator for Presidential Campaign

In 2000, Janet Mills served as a field coordinator for Bill Bradley's 2000 presidential campaign in Maine.

2002: Elected to Maine House of Representatives

In 2002, Janet Mills was elected to the Maine House of Representatives and served on multiple committees.

2004: Re-elected to Maine House of Representatives

In 2004, Janet Mills was re-elected to the Maine House of Representatives.

2006: Re-elected to Maine House of Representatives

In 2006, Janet Mills was re-elected to the Maine House of Representatives.

December 2008: Elected to Fourth Term as Attorney General

In December 2008, Janet Mills was elected to her fourth term as Attorney General when the Joint Convention convened.

2008: Re-elected to Maine House of Representatives

In 2008, Janet Mills was re-elected to the Maine House of Representatives.

January 6, 2009: Elected Attorney General

On January 6, 2009, Janet Mills was first elected attorney general by the Maine Legislature, succeeding G. Steven Rowe.

January 2011: Elected Vice Chair of Maine Democratic Party

In January 2011, Janet Mills was elected vice chair of the Maine Democratic Party.

February 2011: Joined Preti Flaherty Law Firm

In February 2011, Janet Mills joined the law firm Preti Flaherty as a lawyer with the firm's Litigation Group in its Augusta office.

January 3, 2013: Second Term as Attorney General Began

On January 3, 2013, Janet Mills's second term as Maine Attorney General began, following the term of William Schneider.

January 7, 2013: Took Oath of Office as Attorney General

On January 7, 2013, Janet Mills took the oath of office as Attorney General, after Democrats regained control of the legislature in the 2012 elections.

December 3, 2014: Reelected Attorney General

On December 3, 2014, Janet Mills was reelected as Attorney General, despite the Maine Senate coming under Republican control.

July 10, 2017: Announced Candidacy for Governor

On July 10, 2017, Janet Mills announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Maine in 2018.

January 2, 2019: Became Maine's First Female Governor

On January 2, 2019, Janet Mills became the first female governor of Maine.

May 2019: Signed Conversion Therapy Ban

In May 2019, Janet Mills signed a bill banning conversion therapy for minors.

April 22, 2020: Plastic Bag Ban Effective

On April 22, 2020, the policy prohibiting the use of plastic bags by Maine retailers went into effect.

January 1, 2021: Styrofoam Container Ban Effective

On January 1, 2021, the law banning the use of styrofoam containers by various industries within the state went into effect.

June 2021: Declared LGBTQ+ Pride Month

In June 2021, Janet Mills officially declared June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

December 2022: Mills stated she didn't "plan to run for anything else"

In December 2022, a month after her reelection to the Blaine House, Governor Mills told the Portland Press Herald she did not "plan to run for anything else".

July 2025: Considering Senate Run

In July 2025, NOTUS reported that Janet Mills was still considering entering the race for U.S. Senate.

October 14, 2025: Launched Senate Campaign

On October 14, 2025, Janet Mills launched her campaign in the 2026 United States Senate election in Maine, challenging five-term incumbent Republican Susan Collins.