The 2026 United States Senate election in Maine will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Maine. Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins is running for re-election. This will be the only Republican-held senate seat up for election in 2026 in a state that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election.
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Background
editMaine is considered to be a moderately blue state at the federal level, with Kamala Harris carrying Maine by roughly 7 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats also control the governorship, the state legislature, and both seats in Maine's U.S. House congressional delegation.[1]
Collins was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected in four subsequent elections, significantly outperforming other Republicans in the state. In 2020, she was expected to be in a tight race however, defeated Democratic nominee Sara Gideon by about 8 percentage points.[2]
As the only seat up held by a Republican in a state that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and Collins' record of overperformance despite the state's Democratic lean, Maine is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026.[3]
Republican primary
editCollins was first elected in 1996. With Collins being a moderate and potential swing vote, she could face a more conservative primary opponent.[4]
Candidates
editDeclared
edit- Susan Collins, incumbent U.S. senator (1997–present)[5]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editPotential
edit- Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[3]
- Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate (2018–2024) from the 1st district (2008–2014, 2016–2024)[3]
- Janet Mills, Governor of Maine (2019–present)[6]
- Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative from Maine's 1st congressional district (2009–present)[3][7]
References
edit- ^ "Maine Democrats say they won enough seats to control state Senate". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ Everett, Burgess (November 4, 2020). "Collins wins again in Maine, boosting Senate GOP". POLITICO. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Stanton, Andrew (November 14, 2024). "Susan Collins' Reelection Plan Throws a Wrench in Democrats' Senate Hopes". Newsweek. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Bolton, Alexander (November 14, 2024). "Tuberville: 'We're gonna try to get you out of the Senate if you vote against Trump". The Hill. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Shepherd, Michael (November 15, 2024). "Susan Collins plans to run for historic 6th term in 2026". Piscataquis Observer. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Billings, Randy (November 29, 2024). "Gov. Mills doesn't rule out challenging Susan Collins for U.S. Senate in 2026". Press Herald. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios. Retrieved November 28, 2024.