Susan Democrats Hope Susan Collins Will Step Aside in 2026 as They Struggle to Find a Strong Challenger
Susan As Democrats look to make gains in the 2026 Senate races, one of their biggest hopes in Maine is that Republican Senator Susan Collins decides not to seek reelection.
Susan Collins, the only Republican senator from New England, has served for 28 years and currently wields significant influence as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. She’s fended off multiple Democratic challengers over the years in closely contested races, and her seat remains a critical target in Democrats’ uphill bid to reclaim the Senate majority.
Susan Leading Democrats, including Governor Janet Mills and Representative Jared Golden, are awaiting her move before making their own.
In a recent interview with CNN, Collins gave her strongest indication yet that she plans to run, though she stopped short of confirming it.
Republicans are confident Collins will be on the ballot next November. Her moderate brand has helped her hold one of the most Democratic-leaning Senate seats in the country. But if she steps aside, the race would become one of Democrats’ best chances for a pickup.
Internal polling reportedly shows her facing new vulnerabilities tied to Donald Trump’s unpopularity in the state and the typical challenges faced by the president’s party in midterms.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democrats’ Senate campaign efforts, remained optimistic.
Behind the scenes, party leaders are actively recruiting high-profile candidates. Schumer has personally spoken. According to sources, Mills was noncommittal during these conversations and has publicly downplayed a Senate run.
Rep. Jared Golden, a 42-year-old centrist Democrat and another top potential candidate, has also attracted attention. Golden has urged his party to shed elitist tendencies and reach more Trump-friendly voters. However, many Democrats are skeptical that he would challenge Collins — his former boss. Golden once worked as a staffer in her D.C. He stayed neutral in her last campaign for that reason.
When asked directly about challenging Collins, Golden deflected: “Is she running?”
Golden’s political future is being closely monitored, not just in the context of the Senate race but also for his House seat — a key GOP target in 2026. Several sources say it’s still unclear whether he’ll run for the House, the Senate, or even governor.
So far, the only Democrat formally in the Senate race is Jordan Wood, a political newcomer who previously served as chief of staff to former Rep. Katie Porter. Wood describes himself as a “pro-democracy advocate,” but it remains uncertain whether he can mount a competitive challenge against a well-established incumbent like Collins.
Asked about possible contenders, Gillibrand remained tight-lipped: “I’m not going to tell you. We talk to lots of people.”
Collins’ complicated history with Donald Trump may also play a role in the race. While she has distanced herself from the former president — voting to convict him in his second impeachment trial and writing in Nikki Haley during the 2024 election — she has also supported key parts of the GOP agenda, including the confirmations of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
As a result, she walks a fine line between appealing to independents and alienating the MAGA base in Maine.
Asked how Trump’s presence might affect her 2026 race, Collins remained confident in her personal brand.
“I always run on my own record, and that’s what I will do this time,” she said.
Golden’s Decision May Determine House Control
Just as Collins’ decision is pivotal in the Senate, Golden’s next move could determine the balance of power in the House.
Last week, former Maine Governor Paul LePage, 76, entered the race for Golden’s northern Maine district. A polarizing figure in state politics, LePage is mounting a political comeback after losing the 2022 gubernatorial race to Mills. Despite his controversial past, national Republicans believe his high name recognition and fundraising skills could help them flip the seat, which has eluded them for four cycles.
“The district went for Trump. It’s our district.”
Asked if he’d prefer Golden not run: “Sure. Open seat is always easier.”
House Democrats, meanwhile, hope Golden remains in Congress, especially as the House majority may hinge on just a few seats.
Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, a senior Democrat involved in House races, acknowledged the stakes but added that the party is prepared for any scenario.
“No one’s irreplaceable. People retire, people move on,” Schneider said. Still, he added: “If he asks my opinion, I want to keep working with Jared.”