Drama spikes in critical Sen. Susan Collins’ race; victory could give Dems’ back power

Outgoing Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has jumped into the 2026 race to take on Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and this is both good news and bad news for the GOP.

On one hand, if Mills, 77, were to beat Collins, 72, she’d become the oldest freshman senator in history, which might not bode well for her.

In fact, the age discrepancy has even inspired pushback from her fellow Democrats like former Rep. Susan Wild:

Janet Mills is ten years older than I am, and now I’m wondering why I decided not to run for Congress again next year because I didn’t want to be part of the aging problem in Congress. And, if she wins, her term would be SIX years, making her 84 at the end of her first term. https://t.co/AxsroFPROW

— Susan Wild (@wildforcongress) October 10, 2025

On the other hand, she’s backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who’s confident she has the best chances of defeating Collins.

Defeating Collins “would be essential for the Democrats to have any chance of winning back the Senate majority,” Fox News notes.

The good news for Republicans is that for Mills to take on Collins next year, she must first win a hotly contested Democratic primary election.

According to Politico, the primary features Graham Platner, a Bernie Sanders-backed oyster farmer who’s already raised over $3 million, and Maine Beer Company owner Dan Kleban, whose own fundraising numbers haven’t been publicized quite yet.

“Graham Platner is a great working-class candidate for Senate in Maine who will defeat Susan Collins,” Sen. Sanders tweeted last week. “It’s disappointing that some Democratic leaders are urging Governor Mills to run. We need to focus on winning that seat & not waste millions on an unnecessary & divisive primary.”

Platner is also backed by New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, who tweeted earlier this month that “[w]e need more candidates like this.”

Mills formally launched her campaign last Friday with a campaign video ad mainly focused on attacking President Donald Trump.

“I’ve never backed down from a bully and I never will,” she said in a statement accompanying the video. “Donald Trump is ripping away health care from millions, driving up costs, and giving corporate CEOs massive tax cuts. And Susan Collins is helping him.”

I’ve never backed down from a bully and I never will.

Donald Trump is ripping away health care from millions, driving up costs, and giving corporate CEOs massive tax cuts. And Susan Collins is helping him.

My life’s work has prepared me for this fight—and I’m ready to win. pic.twitter.com/pAcTqJEk5l

— Janet Mills (@JanetMillsforME) October 14, 2025

“Honestly, if this president and this Congress were doing things that were even remotely acceptable, I wouldn’t be running for the US Senate,” Mills added in the video above.

“But when Trump rips away health care from millions of Americans and drives up costs on everything from groceries to housing to trucks and cars, then turns around and gives corporate CEOs a massive tax cut, and Susan Collins helps him do it, after she helped him overturn Roe v. Wade, I hear my father’s voice saying, ‘Fight back, Janet,’” she continued.

However, Mills confirmed to the Boston Globe that she “would not plan to serve more than one term.”

Republicans responded quickly and forcefully.

“Maine Democrats are locked in a bruising fight between Chuck Schumer’s out-of-touch establishment and Bernie Sanders’ far-left radicals,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez said in a statement.

“Janet Mills wants to be the oldest freshman Senator in American history after a record of failure that turned Maine into one of the weakest economies in New England. No matter which Democrat emerges, we’re confident Mainers will continue to trust independent problem solver Susan Collins to keep delivering for them,” she added.

As governor, Janet Mills failed Maine with higher costs, struggling schools, and less safe communities.

Now, she wants a promotion.

Luckily for Maine, the answer is simple: NO THANKS, JANET! pic.twitter.com/Mw5Yds5fjq

— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) October 14, 2025

A person involved with Mills’ campaign defended her candidacy in a statement to CNN.

“We’ve tried to put up untested candidates against Susan Collins before, and we’ve lost pretty badly,” they said.

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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