Poll: Republican Senator's Approval Rating Nosedives

Collins Faces Uphill Battle in 2026 Reelection Bid

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a long-serving member of the U.S. Senate since the 1990s, is facing a tough road to reelection in 2026 as new polling suggests her popularity has plummeted among Maine voters. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New Poll Shows Just 24% of Mainers Approve of Collins

A recent survey by Public Policy Polling indicates that only 24 percent of Mainers approve of her performance, while 71 percent say they would not support her for another term. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UNH Poll Paints Bleaker Picture for GOP Senator

Another poll, released by the University of New Hampshire (UNH), paints an even bleaker picture, with just 12 percent viewing her favorably and 58 percent holding an unfavorable view. Deb Cram / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Collins Confirms She Still Intends to Run

Despite these numbers, Collins has confirmed her intention to run again, saying, "I'm focused on the appropriations process, not elections right now, but my intention is to run." Jack Gruber/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Campaign Team Pushes Back on Polls

Her campaign is pushing back hard against the negative polling. Shawn Roderick, a spokesperson for the campaign, dismissed the findings, telling Newsweek, "Every single public poll last election showed Susan Collins losing her reelection and every single poll was wrong—including UNH."

He further criticized the timing and reliability of such polls, adding, "It is absurd to be polling at this point in the cycle—these notoriously inaccurate online polls are only useful for being online click bait. UNH was wrong last time and they are on their way to being wrong again." Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

Democratic Challengers Enter the Ring

Collins is expected to face an increasingly crowded and competitive race. On the Democratic side, Jordan Wood and Natasha Alcala have emerged as likely challengers. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Wood Slams Collins for Weak Stance on Trump

Wood took direct aim at Collins’ approach to President Trump, saying, "She says she's worried. She's concerned. Maine needs more than concern." Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Gov. Janet Mills May Join the Race

There is also speculation that Governor Janet Mills (D-ME) may enter the race. Deb Cram/Seacoastonline / USA TODAY NETWORK

Republican Primary May Not Be Smooth for Collins

Adding to the uncertainty, Collins may also face opposition from within her own party. Carmen Calabrese and Daniel Smeriglio have announced campaigns for the Republican nomination, signaling potential fractures in the GOP base. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images