Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins is taking a political nosedive with approval ratings hitting a rock-bottom low.
The Daily Caller reported that, according to the latest Morning Consult quarterly poll, a staggering 54% of Mainers disapprove of Collins’ performance, marking the highest disapproval in the survey’s eight-year history, while only 38% give her a thumbs-up, a sharp decline from previous quarters.
Just last year, in the third quarter, Morning Consult pegged her approval at a healthier 50% with 42% disapproval, and by the fourth quarter, it slipped to 47% approval and 44% disapproval.
What a difference a few months can make. Now, with over half the state shaking their heads, Collins seems to be caught in a political storm of her own making.
A separate poll by Pan Atlantic Research in mid-May with 840 likely Maine voters showed a slightly less grim picture—49% viewed her favorably, 45% unfavorably—but it still signals trouble for the 72-year-old chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Even in a state that leans left, this isn’t the kind of report card a senator wants to bring home.
So, what’s behind this tumble? Collins has been playing a risky game of independence, notably voting “no” on a major bill pushed by President Donald Trump and signed into law on Independence Day this year.
Breaking ranks with the GOP on key agenda items has clearly ruffled feathers among her base. Collins defended her stance, saying, “I strongly support extending the tax relief for families and small businesses.”
But let’s be real—her vote against the bill, citing concerns over Medicaid cuts impacting rural hospitals and low-income families, smells like a calculated move to appease moderates while alienating the party faithful. In a state as purple as Maine, that’s a tightrope walk with no safety net.
Adding fuel to the fire, Collins sponsored a measure to hike taxes on high earners—individuals over $25 million and couples over $50 million—to fund rural hospitals during the bill’s lead-up votes.
While some might call it pragmatic, others see it as a betrayal of conservative principles favoring lower taxes across the board. It’s hard to cheer for a Republican who’s raising taxes, even on the ultra-wealthy.
Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine GOP, tried to downplay the drama: “There’s generally broad support within our committee and elected officials here.” Nice try, Jason, but when 54% of your state’s voters are giving a thumbs-down, “broad support” sounds like wishful thinking. The national press might amplify the discord, but these numbers don’t lie.
Savage also tossed out a lifeline, noting, “If Gideon or King aren’t answering the phones, voters know that Collins will.” Fair point—accessibility matters—but when your approval is underwater, being reachable isn’t enough to win hearts. Mainers seem to want more than just a senator who picks up the phone; they want alignment with their values.
Looking ahead, Collins has expressed intent to run for reelection in 2026, though she hasn’t made it official, much like her delayed announcement for the 2020 race until late 2019.
Back then, she clinched a win against Democrat Sara Gideon by a solid 9 points, even as Maine went for Joe Biden by the same margin. That kind of split-ticket grit shows she’s got staying power—or at least she did.
Now, with Maine being the lone state to back Kamala Harris last year while still having a Republican senator, Collins’ political tightrope gets even trickier.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already running ads for her, and a supportive super PAC has raked in $5.6 million this year. Plus, with $5 million in cash on hand and $6 million total raised per FEC reports, she’s not exactly strapped for resources.
On the Democratic side, declared 2026 candidates like David Costello, a past Senate nominee, and Jordan Wood, a former chief of staff to a California Democrat, are gearing up to challenge her. No major primary threats from within the GOP yet, but that could change if her numbers don’t rebound.
Collins isn’t the only Republican senator feeling the heat—Morning Consult’s poll, conducted between April and June with varying margins of error, shows negative ratings for GOP heavyweights like Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Joni Ernst of Iowa. It’s a rough season for the party, and while some might blame a progressive media narrative, voters seem to be sending a clear message: deliver or disappoint.