Maine Governor Faces Backlash Over Transgender Sports Policy

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Governor Janet Mills is facing public outcry after her approval rating hit a record low of 48 percent, according to a recent Pine Tree State poll conducted by the UNH Survey Center. This survey was taken before a highly publicized dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump over policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in high school girls’ sports.

The clash occurred during a governors’ meeting at the White House on February 21, 2025, where Trump criticized states like Maine that support transgender participation in sports. This dispute has fueled discontent among Mills’ opponents, who are preparing for a demonstration called the “March Against Mills,” scheduled for Saturday morning in Augusta.

According to organizers, the march aims to protest Mills’ handling of the sports policy, alongside other political disagreements. In conjunction with the rally, a new Change.org petition calling for Mills’ recall has garnered thousands of signatures. It should be noted, however, that Maine is one of 30 states that has no legal framework for recalling a governor, rendering the petition largely symbolic.

Mills’ office has not responded to inquiries regarding the upcoming protest or the poll results. Nevertheless, the governor addressed her critics in a Democratic Party fundraising email on Monday, stating, “My administration will not be intimidated or bullied.”

The fallout from this controversy comes at a critical time for Mills, who has been navigating various contentious issues since taking office. The ongoing debates over transgender rights in sports reflect broader national conversations, as many states grapple with similar policies.