Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, is reportedly preparing to launch a Senate bid for the seat held by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), according to multiple reports. Mills, who is term-limited in her current role, plans to announce her candidacy on Tuesday. The potential race has drawn significant attention as it could become a key contest in the blue-leaning state.
National Democrats have long sought to unseat Collins, who has held the seat since 1997, and party leaders including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer urged Mills to run. Despite only meeting once with Schumer early this year, her decision is seen as a major boost for Democratic efforts to challenge Republican incumbents in states like North Carolina and Ohio.
Democrats view Maine’s Senate race as critical, given that it is the only 2026 contest where Republicans are defending an incumbent in a state that supported Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last year. However, securing a Senate majority remains challenging, as the party would need to gain four seats in a landscape dominated by Republican victories in most states.
Mills’ entrance into the race is expected to spark a competitive primary against progressive challenger Graham Platner, an oyster farmer backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Plattner raised over $3 million in the latest fundraising quarter, according to Axios. The contest highlights internal Democratic debates over generational and ideological shifts following the party’s 2024 presidential election losses.
Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan reported that Mills is preparing to announce her campaign as early as next week, with Senate Democrats positioning her as their best hope to defeat Collins. The race underscores the strategic importance of Maine in the broader 2026 congressional landscape.
