Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins officially launched her reelection campaign Tuesday, setting the stage for one of the most competitive and closely watched contests in November's midterm elections, The Hill reported.
In a brief social media video, Collins unboxed a pair of sneakers, declaring, "This is perfect for 2026, because I'm running."
The Maine centrist, who is seeking her sixth term, is the only GOP senator representing a blue state, making her a major target for Democrats, who failed to defeat her six years ago.
On the Democrat side, Gov. Janet Mills, who is backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is widely expected to secure the nomination and challenge Collins.
Progressive candidate Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran, is also vying for the Democrat nomination.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee seized on Collins's announcement to say on X that she "has lost the trust of Maine voters and this November they'll hold her accountable at the ballot box."
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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