Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban announced on Tuesday that he would be suspending his campaign and backing Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) in the Democratic primary to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) next year.

“Today, I am suspending my campaign for U.S. Senate and enthusiastically endorsing Governor Janet Mills,” Kleban said in a statement.

“Right now, our country is at a crossroads. Susan Collins is not doing what’s right for the state of Maine, and hardworking Mainers are literally paying the price—housing, health care, groceries, and electric bills are all too high and getting worse,” he added. “I believe Governor Mills will win next year and put Mainers first by addressing these pressing issues.”

Kleban joined the crowded Democratic primary last month, effectively ending his campaign only more than a month in. Earlier on Tuesday, Mills announced her candidacy for Maine Senate – a major recruitment win for Senate Democratic leaders who had courted her to run.

The governor’s allies have touted the fact that she’s won statewide with more than half the vote twice during her gubernatorial runs and has stood up to President Trump despite threats that the government would withhold federal funding from the state over the issue of allowing transgender women to play in women’s sports.

Several other high-profile challengers – Jordan Wood, a former chief of staff to former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), and oyster farmer and military vet Graham Platner – have remained in the race despite Mills’ entry.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report changed its ratings of the Maine Senate race from “lean Republican” to “toss up” given Mills’ announcement on Tuesday.

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