This election is about who can do more for Maine | Sen. Susan Collins

Sen. Susan Collins Launches Campaign for Sixth Senate Term in Maine’s Open‑Seat Race

Augusta, Maine — Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine) has begun a high‑profile campaign to win her sixth term in the United States Senate. In a public letter to voters, the 64‑year‑old senator framed the upcoming election as a “job opening” that only her constituents can decide. Collins, who has served in the Senate since 2001, highlighted a record of bipartisan legislation, federal funding wins for the state, and an unbroken voting streak as her key credentials.

A “Job Opening” for Maine’s Senate Seat

Collins explained that the Senate seat is up for election in 2026, the same cycle that sees Maine appoint a new senator every six years. In her letter, she addressed voters as a “hiring committee,” urging them to evaluate her performance based on “sound judgment, integrity, and a record of working across party lines.” She cited specific projects she claims to have secured for Maine, including $1.5 billion for 672 projects across the state’s 16 counties during her five‑year tenure as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Claims of Bipartisanship and Funding Wins

Collins listed a series of local references in her letter—schoolteachers, lobstermen, a hotel owner, and emergency‑room staff—who she says have benefited from legislation she authored. She emphasized the following accomplishments:

• Education and Social Security – A law she helped pass is credited with allowing a retired teacher in Aroostook County to collect her full Social Security benefits.
• Maritime Industry Protections – She claims to have shielded lobster fishermen from federal rules that could have threatened the industry, allowing the continued operation of nearly 5,000 trap‑harboring boats.
• Small‑Business Support – A Paycheck Protection Program law she wrote is said to have helped a York County hotel survive the COVID‑19 pandemic and preserve over 250,000 jobs statewide.
• Health Care and Veterans – Collins says she has secured $10 million to modernize veterans’ homes, fought for funding to keep rural hospitals operational, and is working to reduce prescription drug costs for seniors.

She also highlighted her work on national matters: joining President Barack Obama in 2009 to pass the economic recovery package, supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” voting for the Respect for Marriage Act, and opposing the current administration’s Medicaid cuts in 2021. In 2023, Collins reportedly secured $190 million to aid rural Maine hospitals.

Collins further pointed to her efforts to restore funding for Maine Sea Grant after a federal cut and to obtain tariff exemptions for Maine businesses that depend on trade with Canada.

Opponent: Troy Jackson, Democrat and Former House Speaker

Collins’ main rival is state Democratic House Speaker Troy Jackson. In the letter, Collins describes Jackson as a candidate who intends to “fight” in Washington. She criticizes his record as a state legislator, claiming that his proposals—solar‑energy subsidies that have increased electric bills and spending that could leave a projected $1.3 billion budget deficit for the next governor—have led to the veto of more than 100 of his bills by governors of both parties.

Jackson’s campaign has focused on environmental stewardship and infrastructure. He has faced criticism from some Democrats over his temperament, with an incident at a final debate wherein he told Collins to “shut up.” Jackson says he has no regrets for the remark, suggesting that “shouting may win likes on social media, but it doesn’t pass bills in a closely divided Senate.”

Voting Record and Endorsements

Collins boasts an unbroken roll‑call voting streak—more than 10,000 consecutive votes—claiming it reflects her commitment to Maine. She also notes endorsements from various local groups, including firefighters and police unions.

The Democratic side has also mobilized endorsements, with local leaders citing Jackson’s focus on climate action, healthcare reform, and infrastructure investment.

The 2026 Senate Race in Context

The open‑seat race is seen as one of the most competitive Senate contests of the 2026 cycle. Maine’s electorate has historically leaned toward moderate Republicans in federal offices, though the state has trended more Democratic in presidential contests. Polls in late 2025 indicate a narrow margin between Collins and Jackson, with many voters citing economic concerns and bipartisan cooperation as key decision factors.

Conclusion

As the campaign season heats up, both candidates are framing the election as a question of who best represents Maine’s interests in Washington. Collins positions herself as a seasoned, bipartisan veteran of federal politics, while Jackson emphasizes a fresh approach to environmental and economic issues. Maine voters will decide the outcome on Election Day in November 2026.