With 2026 looming, Mills’ indecision keeps Collins’ challengers on ice.
Maine’s political class is stuck in suspended animation. Gov. Janet Mills’ refusal to say whether she’ll run against Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2026 has effectively frozen the Democratic field. The longer Mills waits, the more she risks hobbling her party’s chances to unseat one of Washington’s most durable incumbents.
Mills is in her second term as governor and remains one of the most popular Democrats in the state. Governor Mills has cultivated a strong brand throughout Maine due to her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, her efforts in stabilizing the economy, and her success in expanding healthcare access.
Governor Janet T. Mills; photo via WikiCommons
But a Senate run would be a grueling, high-stakes fight against Collins, who has survived repeated attempts to unseat her. Collins has built her reputation by presenting herself as a centrist voice in Washington, often highlighting her independence from both parties while maintaining strong ties to her Republican base.
She has weathered expensive and high-profile challenges, most notably in 2020, when Democrats poured unprecedented sums into defeating her and still fell short by nearly nine points. That experience has left many in Maine politics convinced that any Democrat seeking to beat Collins must begin early, raise significant funds, and present a clear contrast that appeals not only to the Democratic base but also to independents and moderate Republicans who have consistently supported her.
Susan Collins is no ordinary incumbent. She has served in the Senate since 1996 and has carefully built a reputation as a steady and reliable figure in Maine politics. Collins often emphasizes her independence, highlighting instances where she has broken with her party, while still voting in line with Republicans on most key issues.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Official Senate portrait.
This approach has allowed her to maintain support among independents and moderate Democrats even as she frustrates progressives who argue that her centrism is more rhetorical than real. Over the years, Collins has become one of the most durable incumbents in the country, surviving political shifts that swept out other long-serving senators.
Collins won reelection by nearly 9 points, despite Democrats, including Sara Gideon in 2020, spending millions in an effort to defeat her. For Democrats, the lesson was painful: Collins is beatable only under the right conditions, and Mills may be their best shot.
Ambitious Democrats, such as House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and rising star Jordan Wood, are holding their fire, unwilling to risk alienating Mills or donors until she makes a decision. Fecteau has the legislative experience, and Wood has grassroots energy, but neither has Mills’ statewide recognition. Uncertainty cripples fundraising, stalling campaign infrastructure like staff, media, and outreach.
Janet Mills’ hesitation is a practical problem for her party. Each month she delays, Susan Collins strengthens her fundraising and organization while Democrats stand still. Past campaigns against Collins have shown how late starts can doom challengers, forcing them to spend valuable time building basic name recognition while she maintains a head start. If Mills decides not to run, any replacement will begin the race at a serious disadvantage.
Mills’ lack of a decision has become the central issue for Democrats in Maine. If she runs, they will have their strongest possible challenger against Collins. If she does not, the party will have to scramble to build a viable alternative with less money, less time, and fewer resources. For now, Democrats are waiting for an answer that will determine the shape of the 2026 Senate race.