Maine Senate 2026: The Race Takes Shape
April 30, 2026
COLLINS MARGIN (2020)
+8.6 pts
won 51.0% vs. 42.4% for Sara Gideon
MONEY RAISED — COLLINS
$7.2M
cash on hand entering 2025 cycle (est.)
MAINE RCV ELECTIONS
6
federal races decided by ranked-choice voting since 2018
2ND DISTRICT TRUMP MARGIN
+10 pts
ME-02 in 2024 presidential; splits from statewide result
SENATE SEATS IN PLAY
~8
seats Dems are targeting for a 2026 Senate flip
Collins Victory Margin by Election Year (percentage points)
2020 bar highlighted in red — closest race of Collins's career. 2026 projected pending general election.
Susan Collins
Republican · Incumbent U.S. Senator
52% FAV
Cash On Hand
$7.20M
Senate Tenure
29 yrs
Strength
Bipartisan brand, constituent services, incumbency infrastructure
Vulnerability
Trump alignment pressure, Medicaid/SNAP votes, aging voter coalition
Graham Platner
Democrat · Attorney; Democratic Nominee (presumptive)
28% FAV
Cash On Hand
$0.42M
Senate Tenure
Challenger
Strength
Clear field post-Mills, DSCC backing, economic anxiety tailwind
Vulnerability
Low name recognition, ME-02 structural deficit, fundraising gap vs. Collins
Key votes illustrating Collins's bipartisan positioning — the foundation of her survival in a purple state.
| Year | Bill / Vote | Collins |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ACA Repeal (Skinny Repeal)Cross-Party | NO |
| 2018 | Brett Kavanaugh Confirmation | YES |
| 2019 | Government Shutdown Resolution | YES |
| 2020 | First Trump Impeachment Acquittal | NOT GUILTY |
| 2021 | Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | YES |
| 2021 | Second Trump Impeachment ConvictionCross-Party | GUILTY |
| 2022 | Respect for Marriage ActCross-Party | YES |
| 2025 | Budget Reconciliation (Big Beautiful Bill) | TBD |
Pattern: Collins has broken with her party on signature votes — ACA repeal, same-sex marriage, and Trump's second impeachment — while voting with Republicans on Kavanaugh and the first impeachment. This selective independence is the core of her "Maine brand."
Key Questions
Sources:Federal Election CommissionBallotpediaMaine Secretary of StateCook Political Report
Data sources
Susan Collins 2020 Election Results· Maine Secretary of StateCollins Senate Vote Record· ProPublica Congress API / GovTrackMaine Ranked-Choice Voting History· Ballotpedia2026 Senate Race Ratings· Cook Political ReportFederal Campaign Finance — Collins· Federal Election CommissionMaine 2024 Presidential Results by District· Associated Press / Maine Secretary of StateJanet Mills Governor Profile & Senate Entry· BallotpediaGraham Platner Candidate Profile· BallotpediaDSCC 2026 Target List· Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee2018 ME-02 RCV Outcome Documentation· FairVote