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The 2026 midterm elections are kicking off in earnest, with both newcomers and seasoned politicians announcing their candidacies. Among them is Senator Susan Collins from Maine, confirming what many political observers anticipated: her intention to seek reelection for a Senate seat she has occupied since 1997.
Senator Collins is making it clear why she is entering the race once again.
Though a Republican, Collins does not align with the staunchly conservative wing of her party. Her lifetime score from the CPAC Center for Legislative Accountability hovers just above 43, reflecting her moderate stance.
Despite the Cook Political Report categorizing her seat as “Lean R,” Collins faces a competitive race. Recent polling averages from RealClearPolitics reveal she trails her anticipated Democratic challenger, oysterman Graham Platner, by margins ranging from one to four points. However, these surveys were conducted before her official reelection announcement, back in November and December of 2025.
Often viewed as moderate by her conservative Republican peers, Collins’s position within the party is sometimes seen as less steadfast.
Why I’m running.https://t.co/cI3SYRLkKP
— Susan Collins for Senator (@SenSusanCollins) February 10, 2026
Senator Collins isn’t a rock-ribbed conservative, holding a lukewarm lifetime rating of a hair over 43 from the CPAC Center for Legislative Accountability.
While the Cook Political Report has the seat rated as a “Lean R,” the RealClearPolitics (RCP) polling average shows Collins trailing her likely Democrat opponent, oysterman Graham Platner, from four points to one point – but the available polls were taken in November and December of 2025, well before Senator Collins announced for re-election.
Susan Collins is generally considered a squish by her more conservative colleagues in the Republican caucus.