Sen. Susan Collins Launches 2026 Re-Election Campaign In Maine
Collins, 73, launched a bid for a sixth Senate term and reported more than $8 million cash on hand at the end of 2025.
Overview
Sen. Susan Collins announced her 2026 re-election campaign for a sixth U.S. Senate term and said "I have always worked across the aisle to solve problems," her campaign said.
The race is pivotal because Democrats need to net four Senate seats to retake the chamber, and Maine is one of four target states along with North Carolina, Ohio and Alaska, party officials said.
Collins said she persuaded Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to curb a federal surge after an operation in Maine that led to hundreds of arrests, a claim her campaign made that Democrats criticized as insufficient and federal officials disputed.
Federal filings show Graham Platner raised nearly $4.6 million and Gov. Janet Mills raised $2.7 million during the latest reporting period, while Collins had more than $8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2025.
Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner will compete in a June 9, 2026 Democratic primary, state records show, setting up a high-stakes general election that analysts say could affect control of the U.S. Senate.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources treat Collins’ announcement with evenhanded context, presenting critical details (the Maine immigration operation, Democrats’ attacks, Platner’s problematic posts and tattoo) alongside factual biographical and electoral information (her voting record, fundraising, historic comeback). Multiple perspectives and reliance on sourced quotes and records reduce editorializing, producing largely neutral coverage.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Gov. Janet Mills and political newcomer Graham Platner are the main potential challengers; they will compete in the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026.
Maine is a key battleground as it is the only Republican-held Senate seat in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024; Democrats need to net four seats to retake the Senate, targeting Maine along with North Carolina, Ohio, and Alaska.
Collins reported more than $8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2025, while Graham Platner raised nearly $4.6 million and Gov. Janet Mills raised $2.7 million in the latest period.
Collins faces challenges from conservative Republicans Carmen Calabrese (restaurant owner), Dan Smeriglio (former police officer), and Bill Clarke (entrepreneur and past Constitution Party nominee).
History
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