Senator Susan Collins' 'moderate' brand faces its toughest test yet in Maine, as progressive forces challenge her record on abortion rights and corporate influence.

Senator Susan Collins, long hailed by mainstream media as a bipartisan unicorn capable of defying political gravity in deep blue Maine, is facing a stark reality check as she seeks a sixth term. With the 2026 U.S. Senate election rapidly approaching, the political landscape in Maine — a state that decisively backed Kamala Harris in 2024 by seven points and holds Democratic control across its state government — is more progressive than ever. The question isn't whether Collins is a moderate Republican, but whether Maine voters will continue to tolerate a Republican veneer over a fundamentally conservative voting record when progressive change is urgently needed.

The Current Reality

The race to unseat Collins has taken a dramatic turn in recent weeks. After Democratic primary winner Graham Platner withdrew from the contest on July 10, 2026, amid sexual assault allegations and other controversies, former state Senate President Troy Jackson was selected as the new Democratic nominee at a convention on July 25. This abrupt shift has set the stage for an intense battle with just over three months until Election Day on November 3, 2026.

Collins, who officially announced her re-election bid in February 2026, enters the general election with a significant financial advantage, having raised approximately $12.2 million this cycle and possessing over $8 million cash on hand. Republicans are pouring resources into defending the seat, with an estimated $400 million expected to be spent on the Maine Senate race alone. Her campaign is leveraging her powerful position as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a role that allowed her to secure $577 million in earmarks for Maine projects in 2024. Her campaign touts her "bipartisan record of delivering results for Maine and America."

However, Collins' "moderate" image is increasingly at odds with public sentiment in Maine. Recent polling paints a challenging picture: a May 2026 Pan Atlantic Research poll indicated her approval rating was 18 points underwater with Maine voters, while Morning Consult reported a 7-point drop in her approval in the first quarter of 2026, placing her nearly 20 points underwater. A July 2026 poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed Collins with a net favorability rating of -18. Crucially, a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll from July 21, 2026, revealed Troy Jackson holding a slight lead, with 49% support compared to Collins' 46%.

Democrats are sharpening their attacks, making Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh a central issue, directly linking it to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This is a potent line of attack in a state that strongly supports reproductive rights. Republicans, in turn, are attempting to tie Jackson to the scandal surrounding former nominee Graham Platner.

A Progressive Critique

The narrative of Susan Collins as a pragmatic moderate, transcending partisan divides, has always been more fiction than fact for those committed to progressive ideals. While she occasionally casts votes that diverge from her party, her overall record, particularly on "crucial progressive" issues, reveals a deep alignment with conservative power structures. ProgressivePunch, for instance, assigns her a Composite Progressive Score of just 37.57% and a paltry Crucial Progressive Score of 24.06%. She sided with Donald Trump's positions approximately 67% of the time during his presidency. This is hardly the record of a true independent.

Her pivotal vote for Justice Brett Kavanaugh, despite her expressed "concerns," directly facilitated the dismantling of abortion rights, a devastating blow to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. Her subsequent "disappointment" with the Dobbs decision rings hollow to the millions whose fundamental rights were stripped away by the very court she helped empower. This isn't moderation; it's complicity with a far-right agenda.

Furthermore, Collins' emphasis on "bringing home the bacon" via her Appropriations Committee chairmanship, while seemingly beneficial, often distracts from her broader policy stances that undermine systemic progressive change. The influence of corporate and special interest money, notably over $538,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in a recent filing period, raises serious questions about whose interests she truly represents. This dynamic allows corporate power to flourish under the guise of "bipartisanship," while crucial legislation on climate, healthcare, and economic justice stalls.

Her purported independence from Trump is also a carefully crafted illusion. While she notably didn't vote for him in 2016, her subsequent votes often bolstered his agenda, and her refusal to unequivocally condemn him in 2020 left many Mainers feeling abandoned. This "middle-ground" posturing ultimately serves to normalize and enable the very conservative forces that actively undermine progressive progress.

The Path Forward

For progressives in Maine and across the nation, the 2026 election represents a critical opportunity to dismantle the myth of the "moderate Republican" and elect a champion for genuine change. The path forward demands a clear-eyed understanding of Collins' record and a relentless focus on the issues that truly matter to working families.

  1. Expose the Record, Not Just the Rhetoric: Campaigns must continue to meticulously highlight Collins' votes on judicial nominations, environmental protections, economic inequality, and healthcare. It's not enough to call her a Republican; her specific legislative actions and their real-world impact must be front and center. The clear link between her Kavanaugh vote and the attack on reproductive rights is a powerful example.
  2. Organize at the Grassroots: With a formidable opponent like Collins, sustained grassroots organizing is paramount. Troy Jackson, as a former state Senate president, has local ties, but mobilizing volunteers, canvassing neighborhoods, and engaging communities on issues like healthcare access, affordable housing, and climate action will be essential to counteract Collins' financial might.
  3. Champion Bold Progressive Alternatives: The focus must shift from simply criticizing Collins to offering compelling, tangible progressive solutions. This means advocating for policies that expand healthcare, protect the environment, strengthen unions, and ensure economic justice for all Mainers. This directly contrasts with the often-vague "delivering results" message and highlights the systemic changes needed.
  4. Hold Power Accountable: The late nomination of Jackson and the financial disparity underscore the urgent need for structural campaign finance reform to level the playing field against well-funded incumbents. Furthermore, "moderates" like Collins must be held accountable for their enabling votes, not celebrated for occasional divergences. The fight to define "political gravity" in Maine — and beyond — must be won by demonstrating that true representation means championing the needs of the many, not safeguarding the status quo for a select few.