A political battle in Maine is about to grab national attention. Two of the state's most recognizable leaders—Democratic Governor Janet Mills and Republican Senator Susan Collins—are on course for a head-to-head clash in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. If confirmed, it would be a rare, high-stakes contest between two political heavyweights in a state that could play a pivotal role in the fight for Senate control. But here's where it gets controversial: this race might not just be about policy—it could become a referendum on political identity in Maine.
According to individuals familiar with the situation, Mills plans to formally launch her campaign on Tuesday. These sources, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to release details, revealed that national Democratic leaders have been urging Mills to run. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer even met with her earlier this year to discuss the possibility—a significant recruiting win for Democrats if she follows through.
The stakes for Democrats are enormous. Maine is the only state on next year’s Senate map where a Republican incumbent is defending their seat in a state won by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024. With a net gain of four seats needed for a majority in the evenly split 100-member Senate, every potential pickup matters—especially in a political landscape tilted toward Republicans in most battleground states. In contrast to Maine, other Democratic hopefuls like Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Sherrod Brown in Ohio must contend with states that Donald Trump carried.
Mills, a two-term governor and former attorney general, has built a reputation as a strong-willed politician. In February, she famously told Trump, “We’ll see you in court,” during a White House meeting in which she opposed federal funding cuts over transgender rights. That confrontation led to a lawsuit in April seeking to block the federal government from withholding funds from Maine for allowing transgender students to compete in school sports. Her sharp retort—“I’ve spent the better part of my career listening to loud men talk tough to disguise their weaknesses”—became a rallying cry for her supporters.
At 77, Mills’ political résumé is extensive: first female criminal prosecutor in Maine, first elected female district attorney, first female attorney general, and first female governor of the state. She won the governorship in 2018 and was reelected in 2022 but is term-limited and cannot seek a third term. While she initially played down the idea of a Senate run, she later said she was "seriously considering" it and began interviewing senior campaign staff by September, aiming to decide by November.
Her likely opponent, Senator Susan Collins, 72, has been in office since 1997 and often brands herself as a moderate. Yet her support for many Trump nominations has drawn criticism, especially from Democrats. Collins has historically won reelection comfortably—except in 2020, when she beat Democrat Sara Gideon by fewer than eight points despite Biden winning Maine by nine points.
Interestingly, Mills and Collins share similar beginnings: both were born in rural Maine. A race between them would be as much about hometown roots as it would be about political vision. However, not all Democrats are thrilled about Mills’ entry into the race. Oyster farmer Graham Platner, backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, has already mounted a grassroots campaign for the nomination. Sanders praised Platner as a “great working class candidate” and criticized party leaders for pushing Mills over him.
And this is the part most people miss: beyond the partisan stakes, this race could spark a deep conversation in Maine about the kind of leadership voters truly value—experience and establishment credibility, or outsider energy and grassroots authenticity.
Do you think Maine voters will rally behind a seasoned politician like Mills, or will they embrace a fresh face like Platner in the Democratic primary? And when it comes to Collins—will her moderate image still hold sway in a polarized era? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
