A recent statewide poll reveals that a significant majority of Maine residents believe Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) does not deserve to be reelected in the upcoming election cycle. According to the survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire and the American Association of Public Opinion Research, 71% of respondents said they do not think Collins should return to Washington for another term. In contrast, only 21% of survey participants felt Collins deserved another term, with 8% expressing uncertainty or offering no opinion.
The poll, conducted between April 17-21, 2025, included responses from 2,850 Maine adults and had a margin of error of ±3.2%. The results highlight a significant shift in public opinion against the longtime Republican senator, particularly among Maine’s younger demographic.
Maine Republicans Show Discontent with Collins
The dissatisfaction with Collins appears to be cutting across party lines. Over half of Republicans in Maine—53%—said the senator should not be reelected, while 40% still expressed confidence in her leadership. Only 6% of Republicans were undecided or neutral on the matter.
Collins has notably positioned herself as a critic of President Trump’s tariffs, and has voted against several Republican-led initiatives in the Senate, including measures aimed at reducing Medicaid funding. Her votes have earned her praise from some Democrats but have drawn backlash from many in her home state’s conservative base.
Young Voters Oppose Collins’s Reelection
The 18-34 age group in Maine expressed strong opposition to Collins’s potential reelection, with more than half of respondents in this demographic saying they do not want her to serve another term. Only 25% of voters in this age bracket supported a sixth term for the incumbent senator, while 7% remained unsure.
Jared Golden and Janet Mills: Potential Collins Challengers
The poll also examined potential challengers to Collins’s seat, including Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Gov. Janet Mills (D). Although Golden is often mentioned as a possible candidate, only 28% of respondents expressed support for him to run for the Senate, while 62% disagreed. Additionally, 9% of respondents were unsure.
In contrast, Gov. Janet Mills, who has already announced she will not run for the Senate, saw more favorable results. Forty percent of respondents felt Mills should contest Collins’s seat, while 56% disagreed with this idea, and 5% were unsure.
As the next election cycle draws near, the future of Senator Susan Collins remains uncertain, with growing discontent in her home state. Whether or not she will be able to overcome the rising opposition and maintain her Senate seat will be a key issue in the upcoming race.
