By Trendsetter Tribune 
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) officially launched her reelection campaign on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with a 15-second “unboxing” video that has already become a flashpoint for both supporters and critics. By pulling a pair of Maine-made New Balance sneakers from a box and declaring, “I’m running,” the 73-year-old senator signaled her intent to become the longest-serving senator in Maine’s history.
The Race for Control of the Senate
Collins’ seat is widely regarded by non-partisan analysts, including The Cook Political Report, as the “Toss-Up” that could decide which party controls the Senate in 2027.
- The Map: Republicans currently defend 22 seats this cycle compared to 13 for Democrats. However, Maine is the only state held by a Republican that Kamala Harris won in 2024, making it the Democratic Party’s top pickup priority.
- The “Broken Promise”: Opponents were quick to resurface Collins’ 1996 campaign pledge to serve only two terms. Her 2026 run marks her quest for a sixth term, which would see her serve until age 80.
The Trump Rift: Venezuela and War Powers
The launch comes amid a widening chasm between Collins and the White House. In January 2026, Collins was one of five Republicans—alongside Murkowski, Paul, Hawley, and Young—who voted to advance a War Powers Resolution restricting President Trump’s ability to launch further military strikes in Venezuela without Congressional approval.
“Susan Collins… should never be elected to office again.” — President Donald Trump via Truth Social (Jan 8, 2026)
The President’s public “excommunication” of Collins complicates her path in northern and inland Maine, where the “MAGA” base remains highly energized, even as she attempts to appeal to the state’s moderate “coastal” center.
A Divided Democratic Primary
The Democratic field is currently locked in a volatile battle between two very different archetypes of the party.
| Candidate | Background | Support |
| Gov. Janet Mills | Two-term Governor; established moderate. | Chuck Schumer, DSCC, Kirsten Gillibrand. |
| Graham Platner | Marine veteran; oyster farmer; progressive. | Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, organized labor. |
The Platner Controversies
Despite leading in early primary fundraising with $7.8 million, Platner’s campaign has been rocked by scandal:
- The Tattoo: In October 2025, it was revealed Platner had a chest tattoo resembling the Totenkopf (Nazi SS “Death’s Head”). He has since covered it with a Celtic knot, claiming he was unaware of its origins when he got it as a young Marine in Croatia.
- Social Media: Resurfaced Reddit posts showing Platner making racially charged comments about tipping and mocking military sexual assault victims led to the resignation of his political director.
- The Primary Split: While Bernie Sanders continues to defend Platner as someone who has “overcome a dark period,” establishment figures like Katie Porter have called for him to drop out to preserve the party’s “moral clarity.”