Crossroads in Maine: New Poll Shows Overwhelming Majority of Voters Want Susan Collins to Retire as 2026 Decision Looms
A revealing new poll has sent shockwaves through Maine’s political landscape, indicating that a substantial majority of the state’s voters believe longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins should step aside rather than pursue another term in office. The survey results present a stark challenge to Collins, who has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1996 and has already expressed her intention to seek reelection in 2026. This growing sentiment for retirement cuts across party lines and raises significant questions about the future of one of the Senate’s most prominent moderate voices, with potential implications for the broader battle for control of the upper chamber in the next election cycle.
The Poll Results: A Clear Message
According to data from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, an overwhelming 71% of Maine voters believe Collins should not seek another term, compared to just 21% who think she should run again. This lopsided result represents a remarkable shift in sentiment toward a senator who has previously enjoyed broad bipartisan support throughout her nearly three-decade career in Washington.
Perhaps most striking is the cross-partisan nature of this sentiment. While Democratic opposition might be expected given the increasing polarization of American politics, the poll reveals that 84% of Democrats, 67% of independents, and—most notably—57% of Republicans believe Collins should retire rather than run again. This majority opposition within her own party constitutes a particularly troubling signal for the 72-year-old senator as she contemplates her political future.
