Overview

Janet Trafton Mills (born December 30, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician who serves as the 75th Governor of Maine. She is the first woman to hold that office. Before her election as governor, Mills had an extensive legal and public-service career in Maine, including service as the state Attorney General. Her career spans roles in prosecution, elected office and statewide legal leadership.

Early life and education

Mills was born in Farmington, Maine, and raised in the region. She pursued higher education and legal training before embarking on a career in law and public service. Her Maine roots and early professional work in local legal institutions shaped her long involvement in state government and community affairs.

Mills built a career as an attorney and prosecutor prior to holding statewide office. She served as Maine's Attorney General, first elected to that post by the Maine Legislature on January 6, 2009, and later serving additional terms, with a second term beginning on January 3, 2015. She was the first woman to serve as Attorney General in Maine.

  • Service in prosecution and county-level legal roles before statewide office
  • Election by the Maine Legislature to the office of Attorney General
  • Responsibility for statewide legal representation and advising state agencies

Election to the governorship

Mills was the Democratic nominee for governor in the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election. In the general election she defeated Republican Shawn Moody and took office as governor, making history as Maine's first female chief executive. As governor she oversees the executive branch of the state, signs legislation, proposes a budget and represents Maine in regional and federal matters.

Focus and responsibilities

During her tenure in public office Mills has emphasized the duties typical of senior statewide officials: leading executive agencies, setting policy priorities for the state, and addressing issues that affect Maine residents. These responsibilities commonly include public health, economic development, natural resource stewardship, and the administration of state services. Her background as a lawyer informed her approach to legal and regulatory matters facing the state.

Notable distinctions and legacy

Mills is notable for two historic firsts in Maine: she was the first woman to serve as the state's Attorney General and later became the first woman to serve as Governor. Those milestones are frequently cited in discussions about gender and political representation in New England. Her career illustrates a path from local legal work to the highest elected office in the state.

Further reading

For an official overview and current information about her administration, see the state's executive office pages: Governor of Maine. For background on her birthplace and early community ties, see local material about Farmington, Maine.