At 77, Maine Gov. Janet Mills is stepping into the Senate race for 2026, but her refusal to share medical records is raising eyebrows among voters hungry for trust, as the Daily Mail reports.

The crux of the story is that Mills, a Democrat aiming to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins, is under fire for dodging health transparency, echoing broader party concerns about aging candidates after former President Joe Biden’s faltering 2024 run.

This isn’t just about Mills, though. If elected, she’d take office at 79, setting a record as the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history. That’s a milestone some conservatives see as less inspiring and more concerning, given the physical demands of the job.

Age concerns dominate Senate race

Compare that to Sen. Collins, who’s been in the seat since 1997 and would be 74 if re-elected in 2026. She hasn’t offered up her medical records either, but somehow the spotlight stays on Mills—perhaps because Democrats have been burned before by backing older candidates.

Speaking of burns, let’s not forget the Democratic Party’s recent history with Biden. His shaky debate performance against President Donald Trump in 2024, followed by a delayed withdrawal, left many liberal voters jittery about age in politics. It’s no surprise that Mills’ silence on her health feels like déjà vu to a party still licking its wounds.

And Mills isn’t promising a long tenure to ease those fears. She’s vowed to serve just one term if elected, meaning she’d be 85 by the end of it. That’s a noble cap, but it doesn’t quiet the whispers about whether she’s up for even six years in Washington’s pressure cooker.

Challengers, controversies shape race

Enter Graham Platner, a 41-year-old military veteran also vying for the Maine Senate seat in 2026. He’s not exactly a beacon of transparency either, sidestepping questions about releasing medical records despite openly discussing PTSD from his Iraq and Afghanistan deployments.

Platner’s got baggage of another kind, too, with headlines buzzing over allegations of a so-called ‘Nazi’ tattoo on his chest. He’s pushed back hard, calling it a “drunken mistake” with no sinister intent, but in today’s hyper-sensitive climate, that explanation might not wash with everyone.

“I am not a secret Nazi,” Platner insisted when pressed on the controversy. Well, that’s a relief to hear, but conservatives might argue that personal missteps shouldn’t overshadow policy substance -- though voters may still wonder about judgment when ink becomes a headline.

Polls show tight battle ahead

Despite the tattoo drama, Platner’s holding his own in the polls. A recent SoCal Strategies survey shows Mills at 41% to Platner’s 36%, with 20% undecided -- a tight race that suggests Maine’s electorate is far from sold on either option.

Platner’s campaign isn’t shy about nudging Mills toward retirement, either. An ad from his team concedes she “was a good governor” but insists “it’s time for change.” That’s a polite jab, but it lands hard when paired with concerns about her age and health opacity -- something conservatives might see as a fair critique of entrenched leadership.

Meanwhile, the broader backdrop of Congress isn’t helping Mills’ case. With more members over 70 than at any point since 1950, the legislative branch is starting to look more like a retirement community than a dynamo of fresh ideas, and that’s a problem for both parties.

Congressional age crisis in focus

Consider the tangible fallout from this aging trend. In 2025 alone, three Democratic lawmakers passed away while in office, and Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s repeated falls -- complete with visible bruises and an aide for support -- paint a stark picture of frailty in high places.

Then there’s Democrat Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C., who faced sharp criticism in 2025 for running again despite a local police report noting signs of early dementia. It’s a tough spot, and while no one wishes ill on dedicated public servants, conservatives might argue it’s time for mandatory health disclosures to protect the integrity of governance.

Back in Maine, even Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, is doubling down on older leadership by endorsing Mills and filing to run again in 2028 at 77. That’s loyalty, sure, but to many on the right, it looks like a stubborn refusal to pass the torch -- a critique that’s less about age itself and more about ensuring vigor in representation.