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HARRISON, Maine – As she runs for a sixth six-year term in the US Senate in left-leaning Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins has once again become a top target for Democrats.
“I’ve been Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s number one priority, not only in this campaign, but the last two campaigns as well. I’ve always been his number one priority,” Collins told Fox News Digital in a special national interview this week.
And this is no different, as Collins seeks re-election in a competitive and high-stakes 2026 race that is one of the few nationwide that may decide whether Republicans can control their slim majority in the Senate.
Facing Collins will likely be military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills, who had the support of Schumer and the Democratic Party, dropped out of the race last week after trailing Platner heavily in fundraising and polling.
SIX MONTHS TO MIDST: TEN RACES TO TEST SENATE SUPREME
Graham Platner, a member of the Democratic Alliance in the US Senate, speaks at a news conference Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lewiston, Maine. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP Photo)
Platner is backed by progressive champions Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The first-time candidate represents a more populist economic agenda as he targets corporate influence and represents the working class.
Asked if Platner is too far to the left of voters in his northern New England state, Collins said, “I believe that will be the fate of Maine voters. But obviously I’m not taking anything for granted.”
Republicans supporting Collins are already blasting Platner in a new ad over controversial comments he made a decade ago on Reddit about women and rape, as well as a well-publicized tattoo on his chest that resembles a Nazi symbol.
Among these observations was one that appeared in 2013, later retracted by Platner, that people concerned about rape should not be “embarrassed until they end up sleeping with someone they didn’t mean to.”
The candidate has apologized for his controversial Reddit posts after he made headlines last week as he launched his Senate campaign. Platner said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with other Croatian Marines. He said he covered the tattoo with a new design after learning last year that it resembled a Nazi symbol.
Asked if he would seek out Platner for his political responsibility, Collins said, “Obviously I’m going to compare my record of success and accomplishments to Graham Platner’s approach, which is based on it.”
DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY INFORMED WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine poses for an interview with Fox News Digital in Washington, DC, on Feb. 10, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Collins paused, before saying, “I don’t want to preview too much of our strategy.”
But the senator added that “he hopes that we can have a public campaign, where we will discuss the problems and what we have achieved. That is my intention.”
Platner, who is running as an outsider, insists that Collins is part of a “broken Washington” and a “generation of failed politicians.”
He described Collins’ moderate Republican image as a “charade,” highlighting his support for some of the President Donald Trump’s, and accuses him of being part of a political system that benefits the rich. “He and Republican politicians like him have put the interests of billionaires and corporations ahead of people,” he said.
Republicans – as the current ruling party in Washington, DC – were already opposed to political trends that lead to the loss of congressional seats. Add to that a challenging climate fueled by persistent inflation, rising gas prices coupled with what is proving to be an unlikely war with Iran and Trump’s approval ratings are underwater.
Asked how he would overcome Republican criticism of the high cost of living, Collins noted that he has championed the low-income relief program, “which helps low-income families and seniors stay warm during the cold winter months. I just confirmed that the last part of the money was released because there is a great need in the state of Maine, and the cost of living is high here.”
Collins reiterated his opposition to cuts to “food stamp benefits and other programs designed for low-income families, because I know how important they are.”
DEMOCRATS BUILD PUBLIC MOMENTUM BUT REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT IN A CAPITAL WAR
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine visits a food bank in Harrison, Maine, on May 5, 2026. The food bank was able to expand thanks to federal funding that the senator helped secure. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
The senator was interviewed at a food bank that grew thanks to a federal grant that Collins helped secure.
“It’s very satisfying to be here today and know that I played a very small role, but an important role, in allowing this food bank to expand its community room, its kitchen, and help it become even more successful,” he praised. “This food bank is amazing. It helps over 1,000 families every week.”
The Democrats’ narrow path to regaining control of the Senate goes through Maine, and Collins will once again face a barrage of attack ads.
Pointing to Schumer, Collins said, “in the past he has come to Maine with groups under him, over $160 million, all in negative ads discrediting me and misrepresenting my record. He’s doing that now.”
But he added that “fortunately, the people of Maine are smart, and they know lies and distortions when they see them.”
