Senator Susan Collins is campaigning in Maine for a sixth term as Republicans fight to hold a narrow Senate majority, and Democrats are zeroing in on her as a top prize. This article lays out the matchup with likely Democratic nominee Graham Platner, the controversies he’s faced, Collins’ record on pocketbook issues and community aid, and why this race matters for control of the Senate.
Collins is no stranger to heavy targeting from national Democrats. “I have been the No. 1 target of Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, not only in this campaign, but the last two campaigns as well. I’m always his No. 1 target,” Collins said, and she is preparing for another expensive and intense fight in a state that leans left.
The 2026 contest in Maine is one of the handful that could decide whether Republicans keep their slim Senate edge. The likely Democratic nominee is Graham Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer who burst onto the scene after more established figures stepped aside, positioning himself as a fresh face and outsider candidate.
Platner has drawn support from high-profile progressive voices and frames his platform around economic populism and pushing back on corporate influence. That energetic outlook appeals to a slice of the electorate, but his relative inexperience and some high-profile controversies give Republicans material to define him before Maine voters do.
Among the controversies are old posts and a tattoo that raised alarm. One post from 2013, which Platner deleted, included the line that people concerned about rape should not “get so f—ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.” Platner later apologized for those posts and said he covered a skull-and-crossbones chest tattoo after learning it resembled a Nazi symbol.
Collins says she will draw a contrast between her record and Platner’s approach without laying out every tactical move. “Obviously I’m going to be contrasting my record of achievement and accomplishments with Graham Platner’s approach,” she said, before adding, “I don’t want to preview too much of our strategy.” She also expressed a desire for civility: “hoping that we can have a campaign that is civil, where we discuss issues and accomplishments. That’s my goal.”
Republicans face political headwinds as the party in power, with inflation, higher gas prices and national issues creating a tough environment. Collins tries to separate herself from national blame by pointing to tangible help she has secured for Mainers, especially programs that ease heating and food struggles for low-income families and seniors.
On assistance programs she emphasized hands-on results and opposition to benefit cuts that would hurt the vulnerable. Collins highlighted work to release the final tranche of money for low-income heating assistance and pushed back on reductions in food stamp benefits, arguing those programs are essential in a state with high living costs.
The senator visited a food bank expanded with federal funding she helped obtain and spoke about the local impact in emotional terms. “It is so satisfying to be here today and to know that I played a very small role, but an essential role, in allowing this food bank to expand its community room, its kitchen, and to help it be even more successful,” she noted. “This food bank is extraordinary. It serves more than 1,000 families every week.”
National Democrats see Maine as a crucial path back to a Senate majority and are expected to pour money into the state again. “Last time he poured into Maine with his affiliated groups, more than $160 million, all in negative ads trashing me and misrepresenting my record. He’s already doing that now,” Collins said, confident that Mainers can tell the difference between political attacks and her record. She added, “fortunately, the people of Maine are smart, and they know lies and distortions when they see it.”
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