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Republican Sen. Susan Collins Launches Reelection Bid Amid Growing Democratic Challenge
Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced her bid for a sixth term representing Maine on Tuesday, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential Senate races in the 2026 election cycle.
“I have always worked across the aisle to solve problems. Maine needs experienced, steady leadership that focuses on getting things done,” Collins said in her announcement statement.
The 73-year-old incumbent faces significant challenges as Democrats target her seat as part of their strategy to regain control of the Senate. The party needs to net four seats nationwide, with Maine, North Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio among their prime targets.
Collins enters the race as a political survivor who has repeatedly positioned herself as reflecting Maine’s independent political tradition. Throughout her career, she has occasionally broken with Republican leadership and President Donald Trump while largely supporting his agenda—a balancing act that has become increasingly difficult in today’s polarized political environment.
Recent immigration enforcement operations in Maine have emerged as a potential liability for Collins. Federal agents conducted operations resulting in hundreds of arrests, drawing criticism that individuals without criminal records were being detained. Collins has taken credit for halting the surge of federal agents after personally speaking with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Democrats, however, have criticized Collins for not going far enough, pointing to her refusal to call for Noem’s resignation and her vote supporting a bipartisan Homeland Security funding bill in January.
The Democratic field presents formidable opposition, led by Governor Janet Mills and political newcomer Graham Platner, an oyster farmer who has gained traction with his anti-establishment message focused on economic equality. While Mills has secured support from establishment Democrats and influential progressive groups, Platner has mounted an aggressive campaign despite controversies including problematic social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that he has since covered.
Following Collins’ announcement, Mills quickly responded, saying, “Seniority without a backbone is just tenure, and after decades in Washington, Senator Collins has failed to demonstrate the leadership required in this dangerous moment in history.”
Platner took to social media platform X, criticizing Collins for breaking a promise to serve just two Senate terms, adding that was “just one of a hundred reasons she doesn’t deserve a sixth term.”
Recent campaign finance reports show Platner has generated significant fundraising momentum, raising nearly $4.6 million compared to Mills’ $2.7 million. Collins, who had not officially launched her campaign during the reporting period, maintained a war chest of over $8 million at the end of 2025.
Collins has navigated a complex relationship with Trump throughout his presidency. She declined to vote for him in 2016 and voted to convict him following his 2021 impeachment over his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. She also joined a small group of Republicans in an unsuccessful effort to limit presidential authority to use military force in Venezuela—a move that prompted Trump to declare on social media that they “should never be elected to office again.”
Despite these breaks, Collins has broadly supported Trump’s agenda, including his tax legislation and most nominees. Notably, she voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has since promoted anti-vaccine policies and removed several public health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Collins has previously demonstrated her electoral resilience. In 2020, she defeated Democrat Sara Gideon by more than eight percentage points despite being outspent significantly. Gideon raised an unprecedented $69 million in that unsuccessful bid.
The political landscape in Maine has shifted since Collins’ last election. The state has grown increasingly Democratic, with registered Democrats now outnumbering independent “unenrolled” voters, a reversal from 2019. Republicans continue to trail both groups, presenting an additional challenge for Collins as she seeks to maintain her hold on the seat she has occupied since 1997.
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11 Comments
The mining and energy industries will be watching this race closely, as Collins’ positions on issues like environmental regulations and resource development could impact their interests.
Collins has generally been supportive of the extractive industries, but will need to balance that with environmental concerns in a state like Maine.
Maintaining control of the Senate is a top priority for both parties, so this race in Maine could be hotly contested. Collins’ ability to appeal to independent and moderate voters will be key.
The outcome in Maine could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the policy agenda in Washington.
As a long-serving senator, Collins has built a reputation for pragmatism and compromise. But that could also make her a target for more partisan challengers on both sides of the aisle.
It will be interesting to see how Collins’ record and bipartisan approach are received by voters, especially in the current polarized political climate. Her ability to navigate that could be a deciding factor.
Collins’ willingness to break with her party on certain issues may help her maintain support in Maine, but could also complicate her path to reelection.
The mining and energy sectors will be closely watching this race, as Collins’ positions on issues like environmental regulations and resource development could have a significant impact on their interests.
Collins’ decision to run for another term sets the stage for a high-stakes battle in Maine. Her ability to appeal to independent and moderate voters will be crucial in this closely watched race.
Collins is a well-known moderate voice in the Senate. Her ability to work across the aisle could be a key asset in a divisive political climate. I’m curious to see how she positions herself in this race.
Maine is known for its independent-minded voters, so Collins’ bipartisan approach may resonate with the electorate.