Sen. Susan Collins Faces Democratic Challenger in High-Stakes Maine Senate Race

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:55:00 +0200

As she campaigns for a sixth term in the U.S. Senate, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine remains a key target for Democrats, particularly Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Collins emphasizes that voters in Maine are likely to see her Democratic challenger, Graham Platner, as too far left, though she remains cautious not to take anything for granted. Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, emerged as the probable Democratic nominee after former Governor Janet Mills dropped out of the race due to fundraising and polling challenges. Platner has received endorsements from progressive senators such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and advocates for an economically populist agenda, focusing on corporate accountability and working-class support. Controversies from Platner’s past, including decade-old Reddit comments about sexual assault and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, have drawn criticism and will likely feature in the campaign. Collins stresses her record of suppo