Senator Susan Collins faces a crushing political storm as new polling reveals a stunning collapse in support ahead of the 2026 midterms.
At a Glance
- Senator Susan Collins’ approval rating drops to 24% among Maine voters
- Former President Donald Trump is now more popular than Collins in the state
- 71% of Mainers believe Collins does not deserve re-election
- Shrinking swing voter pool adds to Collins’ electoral challenges
Collins’ Popularity Dips Below Trump
A new survey from Public Policy Polling paints a grim picture for Senator Susan Collins. With just 24% of Maine voters approving of her job performance and 61% disapproving, Collins now trails behind former President Donald Trump in favorability—a startling turn for the long-serving Republican. According to Newsweek, Trump registers 44% approval among Mainers, outpacing Collins by a wide margin.
Watch WCSH6’s report on Collins’ falling approval.
Even among Republican voters, Collins faces deep erosion of support, with 53% saying she should not seek another term. Her past votes crossing party lines—such as opposing Trump’s tariffs and siding with Democrats on healthcare funding—appear to have alienated her base.
Democratic Opportunities in Maine
Democrats smell opportunity. As The Hill notes, Collins’ cratering approval opens a rare window to flip the seat blue. Potential challengers like Governor Janet Mills and Congressman Jared Golden are already rumored to be weighing Senate bids.
Still, Collins remains defiant. GOP strategist Nick Puglia told Newsweek, “Chuck Schumer literally ran out of things to spend money on last time he tried to take down Susan Collins and she still won. In 2026, Mainers will reelect Susan Collins again.”
Her campaign is expected to rely heavily on her deep roots in Maine politics, her role on the Appropriations Committee, and old-fashioned retail politicking—longtime trademarks of her political survival.
Swing Voter Dynamics in Maine
Complicating Collins’ path to victory is the shrinking pool of swing voters. Analysts point to a Maine electorate that has grown more polarized, leaving fewer moderates to sway.
Political science professor Ronald Schmidt remarked to Newsweek, “You can see the math as to how this could be a very difficult race for her. That being said, she’s stymied predictions of her fall before.”
Meanwhile, Dan Shea of Colby College warned that, “Swing voters might not be extinct in Maine, but they are on the endangered species list,” as reported by Yahoo News.
If Collins cannot regain trust among independent voters—a demographic that once secured her re-elections—her chances for another term could be in peril.
2026: A Defining Battle
As the 2026 election cycle heats up, Collins finds herself navigating a treacherous political landscape. While she has weathered political storms before, the convergence of low approval ratings, energized Democrats, and an evaporating centrist base suggests that this could be her toughest re-election fight yet.
Whether Susan Collins can once again defy expectations—or if she will finally be toppled—remains one of the most closely watched storylines as the next election season looms.
