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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Maine |
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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 U.S. senator Susan Collins is running for re-election to a sixth term. This election will coincide with U.S. House elections, a gubernatorial election, and other local elections. The primary is scheduled to take place on June 9, 2026. Both the primary and general elections will be conducted with ranked-choice voting.[1]
This election is expected to be among the most competitive Senate races in 2026.[2] Collins is the only Republican senator who represents one of the 19 states that Donald Trump did not win in any of his three presidential campaigns.[3] This will be the only Republican-held Senate seat up for election in a state that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election.
Background
The northernmost state in New England, Maine is considered to be a moderately blue state, having voted for every Democratic presidential nominee since 1992, and voting for Kamala Harris by about seven percentage points in 2024. Democrats also control the governorship, the state legislature, and both seats in Maine's U.S. House congressional delegation.[4] After 2018,[a] Collins has been the only Republican representing any state in New England at the federal level, in either chamber of Congress.[5]
Collins was first elected in 1996, and was re-elected in four subsequent elections, significantly outperforming other Republicans in the state. In 2020, despite almost all polls and analysts predicting that she would lose her re-election bid, Collins unexpectedly defeated Democratic nominee Sara Gideon by a 9-point margin. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden carried Maine by about nine percentage points on the same ballot.[6]
As the only Republican-held Senate seat up for election in a state won by Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Maine is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026 despite Susan Collins' history of electoral overperformance. Republicans have held the seat since 1979—the last time a sitting U.S. senator from Maine lost reelection. No Democrat has won a Maine Senate race since 1988, or this seat since 1972.[b]
With the decline of ticket splitting and being in a midterm election with an unpopular Republican president, Collins is widely viewed as the most vulnerable incumbent Republican senator.[7][8] After 2024, Collins is the last senator to represent a non-swing state of the opposite party (a reliably red or blue state).[9]
Republican primary
Incumbent U.S. senator Susan Collins officially announced her reelection bid in February 2026.[10] Despite conservative backlash to her centrist voting record, the Republican Party has supported her reelection.[11] However, she faced a primary challenge from former police officer Dan Smeriglio, a critic of her bipartisan approach.[12][13] Ultimately, Collins was the only Republican to qualify for the primary ballot.[14]
Candidates
Presumptive nominee
Withdrawn
- Carmen Calabrese, restaurant owner[10][16]
- Bill Clarke, entrepreneur and Constitution Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1996 and for governor in 1998[17][18]
- Dan Smeriglio, former police officer[19]
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- John Thune, Senate majority leader (2025–present) from South Dakota (2005–present)[20]
- Steve Daines, Montana (2015–present)[21]
- Joe Manchin, former West Virginia (2010–2025) (Independent)[22][c]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[23]
- State legislators
- Laurel Libby, state representative from the 20th district (2020–present)[24]
- Organizations
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[28]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Carmen Calabrese (R)[d] | $17,760 | $21,260 | $0.00 |
| Susan Collins (R) | $13,223,555 | $4,517,900 | $10,000,848 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
Carmen Calabrese |
Susan Collins |
Dan Smeriglio |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabrese withdraws | ||||||||
| University of New Hampshire[30] | February 12–16, 2026 | 417 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 1% | 67% | 6% | 1%[f] | 25% |
| University of New Hampshire[31] | October 16–21, 2025 | 417 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 1% | 66% | 1% | 4%[g] | 27% |
Democratic primary
Background
In April 2025, former congressional staffer Jordan Wood became the first Democrat to enter the race, running on a platform opposed to the Trump administration and Elon Musk.[32] On August 19, Sullivan Harbor Master Graham Platner launched a progressive campaign backed by Bernie Sanders and organized labor, positioning himself against the "Democratic establishment" and drawing support from both liberal voters and some 2024 Trump voters.[33][34]
Governor Janet Mills was widely viewed as a top Democratic recruit, with encouragement from national figures including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC),[35] though Sanders publicly discouraged her candidacy.[36] This primary was seen as a key contest between the Democratic Party's centrist establishment wing and the populist left-wing and progressive faction, with Mills representing the former and Platner representing the latter.[37] Following the end of Mills' campaign Platner was the most prominent and competitive Democrat left in the race, making him the most likely nominee.[38]
Campaign
After weeks of speculation and leaked campaign plans,[39] Mills entered the race in October 2025, pledging to serve only one term; her age, 79 at the start of the term, drew some scrutiny.[40] The DSCC's close involvement in her campaign, including a joint fundraising committee, prompted backlash and allegations of favoritism in the primary.[41][42]
Following her entry, several candidates, including Dan Kleban and Daira Smith-Rodriguez, withdrew and endorsed Mills.[43][44] Smith-Rodriguez cited concerns over past comments by Platner regarding sexual assault in the military.[45] Wood later withdrew to run for the U.S. House.[46]
In January 2026, Platner briefly paused his campaign due to his wife's medical treatment abroad[47] before resuming later that month, returning to the campaign trail with protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement actions.[48]
In February 2026, Mills committed to multiple debates ahead of the June 9 primary.[49]
Mills, Platner, and 2024 nominee David Costello qualified for the primary ballot.[50] In addition, University of Maine adjunct professor Andrea LaFlamme is mounting a write-in bid for the Democratic nomination.[51]
Despite multiple controversies, polling has consistently shown Platner leading Mills in the primary and incumbent Senator Susan Collins in a potential general election matchup.[56] In March 2026, Mills began running attack ads highlighting Platner's controversies. By April 2026, multiple polls had been released, which showed Mills 38 points behind Platner in the primary.[57] Shortly thereafter, the Mills campaign had stopped running the attack ads and had made no additional ad purchases across any platform, leading to rumors that she would withdraw from the race.[58] The Mills campaign denied these rumors, saying that the campaign was "full steam ahead" and that Mills was the most electable candidate.[58] Axios reported on April 6 that the Platner campaign had told donors and supporters that they were pivoting their attention away from the primary and towards incumbent Susan Collins.[59]
On April 30, Mills announced that she was suspending her campaign. When asked if she would support Platner if he won the Democratic nomination, she stated "I've always been a Democrat. I always supported the Democratic candidate." Her withdrawal also led to Schumer and Gillibrand announcing they would now help Platner to defeat Susan Collins.[60]
Controversies
Shortly after Mills entered the race, Platner came under fire for resurfaced controversial Reddit posts, resulting in his campaign's political director, former state representative Genevieve McDonald, quitting the campaign and calling Platner "unelectable"; however, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated that the comments were not disqualifying,[61] and Platner apologized in a five-minute video posted to social media. On October 21, Platner released a video of himself dancing and singing shirtless at his brother's wedding, revealing he had a chest tattoo that resembled the Totenkopf used by Nazi Germany's Schutzstaffel. Platner stated he got the tattoo while inebriated with other U.S. Marines while stationed in Croatia, mistaking the symbol for a generic skull and crossbones. He had the tattoo covered,[62] and professed his shame and disgust for getting a tattoo that resembled the fascist insignia.[63] Platner also called himself an anti-fascist "supersoldier" in an old Reddit comment.[64] After the controversies, Democrats such as Senator Chris Murphy defended Platner and said that he "sounds like a human being" who is honest about his mistakes[65][66][67] and Senator Gallego called his campaign "authentic" and said that he has "the right to grow out of his stupidity" and is not going to be a "crypto-Fetterman".[68][69]
On February 26, 2026, Platner quote-tweeted a clip from Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union Address, criticizing Trump's speech. The clip had been posted by anti-Semitic white supremacist Stew Peters.[70] The tweet was deleted hours later, with a spokesperson for Platner's campaign telling The Hill that they were unaware of Peters' views.[71][72]
Candidates
Declared
- David Costello, former deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[73][15]
- Andrea LaFlamme, adjunct professor at the University of Maine (write-in candidate)[51][74][75]
- Graham Platner, Sullivan harbor master[76][15]
Withdrawn
- Natasha Alcala, fashion designer[10]
- David Evans, former Department of Defense policy writer[77]
- Tucker Favreau, cybersecurity professional[78][79]
- Janet Mills, governor of Maine (2019–present)[80]
- Dan Kleban, brewery owner (endorsed Mills)[43]
- Daira Smith-Rodriguez, former civilian contracting officer for the U.S. Air Force (endorsed Mills)[81]
- Jordan Wood, former chief of staff to former U.S. Representative Katie Porter (running for U.S. House; endorsed Platner)[82][83]
Declined
- Aaron Frey, Maine attorney general (2019–present) (endorsed Mills)[84][85]
- Jared Golden, U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[86][87]
- Chellie Pingree, U.S. representative from Maine's 1st congressional district (2009–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2002 (running for re-election)[88]
Endorsements
- Executive branch officials
- Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor (1993–1997)[89]
- Nirav D. Shah, former principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023–2025) and 2026 gubernatorial candidate[90]
- U.S. senators
- Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025–present)[91]
- Kirsten Gillibrand, New York (2010–present) (previously endorsed Mills)[92][42][83]
- Martin Heinrich, New Mexico (2013–present)[93]
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[94]
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[95]
- Chuck Schumer, New York (1999–present) (previously endorsed Mills)[92][83]
- U.S. representatives
- Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[96]
- Statewide officials
- Shenna Bellows, Maine secretary of state (2021–present) and 2026 gubernatorial candidate[97]
- Matthew Dunlap, Maine state auditor (2021; 2022–present), former Maine secretary of state (2005–2011; 2013–2021), and 2026 candidate for ME-02[83]
- Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present)[98]
- State legislators
- Joe Baldacci state senator from the 9th district (2020–present) and 2026 candidate for ME-02[83]
- Troy Jackson, former president of the Maine Senate (2018–2024) from the 35th district (2008–2014) and 1st district (2016–2024) and 2026 gubernatorial candidate[99]
Genevieve McDonald, former state representative from the 134th district (2018–2022)[h][100]- Aaron Regunberg, former state representative from Rhode Island's 4th district (2015–2019)[101]
- Joanne Twomey, former state representative from the 19th district (1998–2004) and 135th district (2004–2006)[102]
- 3 current state senators[i]
- 16 current state representatives[j]
- Local officials
- Karen Heck, former mayor of Waterville (2012–2014) (Independent)[107]
- Safiya Khalid, former Lewiston city councilor (2020–2022)[108]
- Carl Sheline, mayor of Lewiston (2022–present)[103]
- Party officials
- David Hogg, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2025)[109]
- Individuals
- Ken Casey, vocalist for the Dropkick Murphys[110]
- Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers[111]
- John Hodgman, author[112]
- Angus King III, businessman and 2026 gubernatorial candidate[83]
- Josh Ritter, singer-songwriter[113]
- Jordan Wood, 2026 candidate for ME-02 and former candidate for this seat[114][83]
- Labor unions
- AFL-CIO[115]
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers[116]
- International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers[117]
- Maine State Nurses Association[118]
- National Nurses United[119]
- United Auto Workers[111]
- Organizations
- College Democrats of America[109]
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (previously endorsed Mills)[92]
- Gen-Z for Change[109]
- Maine People's Alliance[120]
- Our Revolution[121]
- Progressive Change Campaign Committee[122]
- Progressive Victory[123]
- Showing Up for Racial Justice[124]
- Sierra Club[125]
- Track AIPAC[126]
- Voters of Tomorrow[109]
- Political parties
- Working Families Party[127]
- U.S. senators
- Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada (2017–present)[129]
Chuck Schumer, New York (1999–present)[130] (endorsed Platner after Mills withdrew)[131]Kirsten Gillibrand, New York (2010–present)(endorsed Platner after Mills withdrew)[132]
- U.S. representatives
- Barney Frank, former MA-04 (1981–2013)[133]
- Statewide officials
- Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[134]
- Aaron Frey, attorney general of Maine (2019–present)[135]
- Michelle Lujan Grisham, governor of New Mexico (2019–present)[136]
- Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts (2023–present)[137]
- Drew Ketterer, former attorney general of Maine (1995–2001)[138]
- Steve Rowe, former attorney general of Maine (2001–2009)[138]
- James E. Tierney, former attorney general of Maine (1981–1991)[138]
- Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan (2019–present)[134]
- State legislators
- Ben Allen, state senator from California's 24th district (2014–present)[139]
- Lynn Bromley, former state senator from the 7th district (2000–2008)[140]
- Emily Cain, former state senator from the 30th district (2012–2014)[141]
- Margaret Craven, former state representative from the 59th district (2002–2008, 2018–2022) and 93rd district (2022–2024)[141]
- Leila Percy, former state representative from the 64th district (2002–2010)[141]
- Linda Sanborn, former state senator from the 30th district (2018–2020)[141]
- Barbara Trafton, former state senator from the 12th district (1979–1982)[141]
- Eloise Vitelli, former majority leader of the Maine Senate (2021–2024) from the 23rd district (2013–2014, 2016–2022) and 24th district (2022–2024)[141]
- Individuals
- Dan Kleban, brewery owner and former candidate for this seat[142]
- Daira Smith-Rodriguez, former civilian contracting officer for the U.S. Air Force and former candidate for this seat[143]
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| David Costello (D) | $143,481 | $96,333 | $47,149 |
| David Evans (D)[d] | $6,437 | $6,437 | $0 |
| Tucker Favreau (D)[d] | $13,599.10 | $4,913 | $5,170 |
| Dan Kleban (D)[d] | $458,787 | $458,367 | $420 |
| Andrea LaFlamme (D) | $7,740 | $1,929 | $5,811 |
| Janet Mills (D)[d] | $5,359,823 | $4,285,470 | $1,074,353 |
| Graham Platner (D) | $11,956,530 | $9,225,672 | $2,730,858 |
| Daira Smith-Rodriguez (D)[d] | $242,582 | $242,582 | $0 |
| Jordan Wood (D)[d] | $3,098,912 | $2,178,443 | $920,470 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Janet Mills |
Graham Platner |
Other/Undecided [k] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270toWin[154] | March 5–31, 2026 | April 7, 2026 | 31.3% | 53.0% | 15.7% | Platner +21.7% |
| Decision Desk HQ[155] | through April 9, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | 29.7% | 59.4% | 10.9% | Platner +29.7% |
| Race to the WH[52] | February 24 – April 9, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | 29.8% | 58.2% | 12.0% | Platner +28.4% |
| RealClearPolitics[53] | February 12 – March 31, 2026 | April 7, 2026 | 31.2% | 53.8% | 14.4% | Platner +22.0% |
| Average | 30.5% | 56.1% | 13.4% | Platner +25.6% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
David Costello |
Janet Mills |
Graham Platner |
Jordan Wood |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mills withdraws | |||||||||
| Workbench Strategy (D)[156][A] | April 6–9, 2026 | 600 (LV) | – | – | 29% | 64% | – | – | 7% |
| Maine People's Resource Center (D)[157][B] | March 20–31, 2026 | 514 (LV) | – | 2% | 28% | 61% | – | – | 9% |
| Emerson College[158] | March 21–23, 2026 | 530 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 1% | 28% | 55% | – | 4%[l] | 13% |
| Impact Research (D)[159][C] | March 19–23, 2026 | 500 (LV) | – | – | 28% | 66% | – | – | 6% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[54] | March 5, 2026 | 450 (LV) | ± 3.4% | – | 38% | 43% | – | – | 19% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[55] | February 13 – March 2, 2026 | 367 (LV) | – | 4% | 39% | 46% | – | – | 11% |
| University of New Hampshire[30] | February 12–16, 2026 | 462 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 1% | 26% | 64% | – | 3%[m] | 6% |
| Favreau withdraws | |||||||||
| Workbench Strategy (D)[160][A] | December 11–16, 2025 | 500 (LV) | – | – | 40% | 55% | – | – | 5% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[161] | November 29 – December 7, 2025 | 318 (LV) | – | 1% | 47% | 37% | – | – | 14% |
| Z to A Research (D)[162][D] | November 14–18, 2025 | 845 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 0% | 38% | 58% | – | 2%[n] | 2% |
| Wood withdraws | |||||||||
| Maine People's Resource Center (D)[163][B] | October 26–29, 2025 | 783 (V) | ± 3.5% | – | 39% | 41% | 5% | – | 14% |
| – | 47%[o] | 53% | – | – | – | ||||
| SoCal Strategies[164] | October 21–25, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 1% | 41% | 36% | 2% | – | 20% |
| NRSC (R)[165] | October 22–23, 2025 | 647 (LV) | ± 3.5% | – | 25% | 46% | 3% | – | 26% |
| University of New Hampshire[31] | October 16–21, 2025 | 510 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 1% | 24% | 58% | 1% | 1%[p] | 14% |
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Tim Rich, former restaurant owner[166]
Withdrawn
- Phillip Rench, former member of the Maine Space Corporation Board of Directors (2023–2025)[167][168]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Phillip Rench (I)[d] | $55,313 | $31,072 | $24,241 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[169] | Tilt R | March 25, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[170] | Tossup | April 13, 2026 |
| The Economist[171] | Lean D (flip) | April 21, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[172] | Tilt D (flip) | April 21, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[173] | Tossup | March 4, 2026 |
Polling
Susan Collins vs. Graham Platner
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Susan Collins (R) |
Graham Platner (D) |
Other/ |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[52] | January 20 – April 9, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | 41.7% | 47.6% | 10.7% | Platner +5.9% |
| 270toWin[154] | March 21 – April 9, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | 41.7% | 49.0% | 9.3% | Platner +7.3% |
| Decision Desk HQ[174] | through April 9, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | 42.3% | 48.6% | 9.1% | Platner +6.3% |
| RealClearPolitics[175] | February 12 – March 31, 2026 | April 7, 2026 | 40.0% | 47.6% | 12.2% | Platner +7.6% |
| Average | 41.4% | 48.2% | 10.4% | Platner +6.8% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Graham Platner (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights (R)[176][E] | April 3–9, 2026 | 378 (LV) | ± 6.3% | 45% | 51% | – | 6% |
| Maine People's Resource Center (D)[157][B] | March 20–31, 2026 | 1,167 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 39% | 48% | – | 13% |
| Emerson College[158] | March 21–23, 2026 | 1,075 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 41% | 48% | 6%[q] | 6% |
| OnMessage Public Strategies (R)[177][F] | March 3–8, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 44% | – | 14% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[54] | March 5, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 42% | 49% | 4%[r] | 6% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[55] | February 13 – March 2, 2026 | 810 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 40% | 44% | – | 16% |
| University of New Hampshire[30] | February 12–16, 2026 | 1,105 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 38% | 49% | 4%[s] | 9% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[178][G] | January 20–24, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 44% | – | 11% |
| Workbench Strategy (D)[160][A] | December 11–16, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ±4.4% | 50% | 50% | – | – |
| Pan Atlantic Research[161] | November 29 – December 7, 2025 | 820 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 42% | 43% | – | 15% |
| Maine People's Resource Center[163][B] | October 26–29, 2025 | 783 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 41% | 45% | – | 14% |
| Zenith Research (D)[179][H] | October 7–10, 2025 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 38% | 38% | 10%[t] | 15% |
- Susan Collins vs. Dan Kleban
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Dan Kleban (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[180][I] | September 8–9, 2025 | 642 (RV) | – | 35% | 44% | 21% |
- Susan Collins vs. Generic Democrat
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Generic Democrat |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R)[181] | November 10–11, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 41% | 49% | 11% |
Susan Collins vs. Janet Mills
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[e] |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Janet Mills (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights (R)[176][E] | April 3–9, 2026 | 378 (LV) | ± 6.3% | 46% | 48% | – | 6% |
| Maine People's Resource Center (D)[157][B] | March 20–31, 2026 | 1,167 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 45% | 42% | – | 9% |
| Emerson College[158] | March 21–23, 2026 | 1,075 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 43% | 46% | 8%[u] | 3% |
| OnMessage Public Strategies (R)[177][F] | March 3–8, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 42% | – | 16% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[54] | March 5, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 45% | 43% | 7%[v] | 6% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[55] | February 13 – March 2, 2026 | 810 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 44% | 44% | – | 12% |
| University of New Hampshire[30] | February 12–16, 2026 | 1,105 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 40% | 41% | 9%[w] | 10% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[178][G] | January 20–24, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 44% | – | 11% |
| Workbench Strategy (D)[160][A] | December 11–16, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ±4.4% | 51% | 49% | – | – |
| Pan Atlantic Research[161] | November 29 – December 7, 2025 | 820 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 43% | 43% | – | 14% |
| Maine People's Resource Center[163][B] | October 26–29, 2025 | 783 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 46% | 42% | – | 14% |
| Zenith Research (D)[179][H] | October 7–10, 2025 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 37% | 42% | 10%[t] | 12% |
Notes
- ^ When Bruce Poliquin lost his seat
- ^ Independent Senator Angus King, who has represented Maine in the Senate since 2013, has caucused with the Senate Democratic caucus for his tenure, but is not a registered member of the Democratic Party.
- ^ Held office as a Democrat until becoming an Independent in 2024
- ^ a b c d e f g h Withdrawn candidate
- ^ a b c d e f Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ "Another candidate" with 1%
- ^ "Write in someone else" with 4%
- ^ Resigned as campaign political director and withdrew endorsement after controversy around old Reddit comments.
- ^
- ^
- Mana Abdi, state representative from the 95th district (2022–present)[103]
- Matthew Beck, state representative from the 122nd district (2024–present)[105]
- Deqa Dhalac, state representative from the 120th district (2022–present)[103]
- Janice Dodge, state representative from the 97th district (2018–present)[103]
- Victoria Doudera, state representative from the 94th district (2018–2022) and 47th district (2022–present)[103]
- Gary Friedmann, state representative from the 14th district (2024–present)[103]
- Valli Geiger, state representative from the 93rd district (2020–2022) and the 42nd district (2022–present)[106]
- Cheryl Golek, state representative from the 99th district (2022–present)[103]
- Rafael Macias, state representative from the 51st district[103]
- Nina Milliken, state representative from the 16th district (2022–present)[97]
- Karen Montell, state representative from the 54th district (2022–present)[103]
- Dylan Pugh, state representative from the 114th district (2024–present)[103]
- Ambureen Rana, state representative from the 21st district (2022–present)[103]
- Morgan Rielly, Maine House of Representatives from the 34th district (2020–2022) and 127th district (2022–present)[103]
- Ellie Sato, state representative from the 109th district (2024–present)[103]
- Kilton Webb, state representative from the 98th district (2024–present)[103]
- ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- ^ LaFlamme and "Someone else" with 2%
- ^ LaFlamme with 2%; "Another candidate" with 1%; Evans and Favreau with 0%
- ^ Evans and LaFlamme with 1%; Favreau with 0%
- ^ With undecided and Wood votes re-allocated based on second-choice preference
- ^ "Write in someone else" with 1%; Evans, Favreau, and LaFlamme with 0%
- ^ "Someone else" with 6%
- ^ Someone else / Third party with 3%, would not vote with 1%
- ^ "Another candidate" with 4%
- ^ a b "Another candidate" with 9%; "Would not vote" with 1%
- ^ "Someone else" with 8%
- ^ Someone else / Third party with 6%, would not vote with 1%
- ^ "Another candidate" with 9%
Partisan client
- ^ a b c d Poll sponsored by Platner's campaign.[160]
- ^ a b c d e f Pollster affiliated with the Maine People's Alliance, which has endorsed Platner's campaign.[120]
- ^ Poll commissioned by gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson, who has endorsed Platner's campaign.[99]
- ^ Poll sponsored by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has endorsed Platner's campaign.
- ^ a b Poll commissioned by NetChoice
- ^ a b Poll sponsored by the Insurance Watchdog Coalition.
- ^ a b Poll sponsored by Pine Tree Results, a Collins-aligned Super PAC.
- ^ a b Poll sponsored by More Perfect Union, a progressive non-profit news media organization.
- ^ Poll sponsored by Kleban's campaign.
References
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Collins is now the lone outlier among all 100 senators as someone who continues to hold a Senate seat in a state that hasn't supported her party's presidential nominee in decades. Such outliers were important parts of past recent Democratic Senate majorities, but they will now be all gone.
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"Platner Holds 7-Point Lead Over Mills in Poll That Found Him Behind Just 3 Months Ago". Common Dreams. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
...and as the latest poll was released Wednesday, Democratic Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson offered his endorsement.
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"Graham Platner, with Elizabeth Warren in Maine, hits his frontrunner stride". The Portland Press Herald. April 19, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
Graham Platner refuses to take Joanne Twomey's $100 that Twomey wanted to contribute to Platner's campaign during Saturday's rally at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Twomey said that she will also donate the $300 relief check she will receive from Gov. Janet Mills to Platner's campaign for U.S. Senate.
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Egan, Lauren (October 20, 2025). "How Maine Became a Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party". The Bulwark. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
...said former Waterville mayor Karen Heck, who is supporting Platner in the primary.
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Wardwell, Faith; Kashinsky, Lisa; Howard, Andrew (November 12, 2025). "Maine Democrat drops Senate bid for battleground House run". Retrieved November 19, 2025.
Wood declined to endorse in the Senate race following his withdrawal but said he'd "support whoever the Democratic nominee is."
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Rouhandeh, Alex J. (May 1, 2026). "Exclusive: Graham Platner Signals Peace with Schumer in Maine Senate Fight". Newsweek.
Speaking with Newsweek at an AFL-CIO endorsement event in Portland
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- ^ "Standing Up to the Billionaire Agenda: A conversation with Graham Platner". Showing Up for Racial Justice. March 24, 2026.
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Davis, Emma (September 3, 2025). "Maine Beer Company founder joins race against Susan Collins". Maine Morning Star. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
After launching his campaign, Kleban announced later Wednesday Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry and Lucas St. Clair, national board chair of the Trust for Public Land, as his campaign co-chairs.
- ^ McCaskill, Nolan D. (October 14, 2025). "Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills takes on US Senator Susan Collins". Reuters. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
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- ^
"Barney Frank, entering hospice care, embarks on a final act: Taking on the left". POLITICO. April 28, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
In the progressive-moderate clash roiling his new home state, Frank supports Gov. Janet Mills for Senate over Graham Platner.
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Davis, Emma (December 4, 2025). "National progressive group throws support behind Graham Platner • Maine Morning Star". Maine Morning Star. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
Prominent political figures have as well, including Democratic governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico.
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King said Wednesday that his general practice is not to campaign against colleagues, and he expects to stick with that next year — including not endorsing in the primary.
- ^
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Wood declined to endorse in the Senate race following his withdrawal but said he'd "support whoever the Democratic nominee is."
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- ^ "In Crucial 2026 Senate Battleground, Mills Holds the Edge, New SoCal Strategies Poll Finds". Substack. October 25, 2025.
- ^ @PollTracker2024 (October 24, 2025). "NRSC poll" (Tweet). Retrieved October 24, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ Billings, Randy (January 21, 2026). "Maine independent joins race to unseat Susan Collins in U.S. Senate". The Portland Press Herald. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ Fahlberg, Audrey (March 7, 2025). "Ex-Democrat SpaceX Engineer Challenging Maine Senator Susan Collins as an Independent". National Review. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Billings, Randy (December 15, 2025). "Former SpaceX engineer ends longshot bid for US Senate in Maine". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "US 2026 Senate Forecast". The Economist. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ^ "Maine Senate General Ballot Test (Collins vs. Platner)". Decision Desk HQ. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Maine Senate - Collins vs. Platner". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ^ a b "NetChoice — April 2026 Antitrust Survey — Topline" (PDF). Echelon Insights. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
- ^ a b "Maine and Ohio Poll Findings". OnMessage Public Strategies. March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Fabrizio, Tony; Lee, David; Tunis, Travis (February 2, 2026). "Messaging Shifts Maine Senate Race from Dead Heat to Significant Susan Collins Lead". Fabrizio, Lee & Associates. Retrieved February 5, 2026 – via Politico.
- ^ a b "More Perfect Union: Maine Senate General Election Benchmark Poll" (PDF). More Perfect Union. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Normington, Jill; Wallace, Blane (September 16, 2025). "Kleban PPP Poll Memo 9.16.25" (PDF). Normington Petts. Retrieved September 18, 2025 – via DocumentCloud.
- ^ Buchanan, Brent (November 17, 2025). "Turning the Tide: How Collins Can Win Maine's Middle on Healthcare". Cygnal. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites