Long-Serving ‘RINO’ Senator Underwater In Reelection Poll
A centrist Republican senator, who has been a member of the upper chamber for many years, is facing political challenges in her home state as she approaches her reelection campaign.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, has experienced a decline in her approval ratings during a tumultuous summer session, during which she often diverged from her party and President Donald Trump on several significant votes, according to a recent survey.
The results are derived from Morning Consult’s quarterly poll that tracks the approval ratings of senators, revealing a downward trajectory for the 72-year-old moderate. Collins has expressed her intention to run for reelection in 2026, as reported by the Daily Caller.
At present, 54% of residents in Maine disapprove of Senator Susan Collins’ job performance, marking the highest disapproval rating she has recorded in Morning Consult’s eight-year history of tracking. Only 38% of voters in the state approve of her performance.
In contrast, Morning Consult’s fourth-quarter 2024 survey indicated that Collins had a 47% approval rating and a 44% disapproval rating. This represented a slight decrease from the third quarter of 2024, when 50% approved and 42% disapproved, according to earlier polling data.
In light of the recent figures, a spokesperson for Collins referenced more favorable outcomes from a Pan Atlantic Research poll conducted in mid-May, which surveyed 840 likely voters in Maine. This poll indicated that 49% of respondents viewed Collins positively, while 45% held an unfavorable opinion, as reported by the outlet, citing published survey results.
Collins’ diminishing approval ratings in the Morning Consult survey follow a series of notable disagreements with Trump regarding critical aspects of his legislative agenda. She was among only three Republican senators to oppose Trump’s “one big, beautiful” bill, which was enacted on July 4—shortly after the survey was completed—due to concerns regarding the proposed alterations to Medicaid.
In the lead-up to the final vote, Collins proposed an amendment aimed at increasing taxes on ultra-wealthy individuals—those with annual earnings exceeding $25 million, or couples with a combined income surpassing $50 million—to enhance funding for rural hospitals.
“I firmly advocate for the continuation of tax relief for families and small businesses. My opposition to this bill is primarily due to its detrimental effects on Medicaid, which will impact low-income families and rural healthcare providers, including our hospitals and nursing homes,” she stated on X on July 1.
“The Medicaid program has served as a crucial healthcare safety net for nearly six decades, assisting individuals in challenging financial situations, such as those with disabilities, children, seniors, and low-income families. Approximately 400,000 residents of Maine—almost one-third of the state’s population—rely on this program,” she continued.
“Undoubtedly, there are enhancements that need to be made to the Medicaid system. For instance, I endorse work requirements for able-bodied adults who are neither raising young children, nor serving as caregivers, nor attending school. However, a significant cut in future Medicaid funding, projected to be $5.9 billion in Maine over the next decade, could jeopardize not only Mainers’ access to healthcare but also the very survival of several rural hospitals in our state,” she remarked.
The White House is reportedly considering potential successors for Senator Susan Collins should she ultimately choose not to pursue reelection, although she currently does not face any notable primary challengers. As the chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins has yet to initiate a formal campaign but indicated on Tuesday her intention to run in 2026 and expressed optimism regarding her robust fundraising figures.
In her most recent race, Collins chose to wait until December 2019 to declare her successful bid for reelection in 2020. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has already begun airing advertisements in her favor, and a super PAC supporting her has accumulated $5.6 million in the first half of the year. As reported by the Daily Caller, the Federal Election Commission indicates that Collins has raised a total of $6 million and currently possesses $5 million in cash reserves.
Jason Savage, the Executive Director of the Maine GOP, informed the Daily Caller News Foundation that Senator Collins has been performing a “tremendous job,” emphasizing that her efforts have positively influenced every community within the state—an impact he believes voters will recall as the 2026 midterm elections approach.