Schumer Targets Collins in Maine Senate Race for 2026 Midterms

He described Collins as weaker than in 2020 and pointed to her votes on the Supreme Court, Medicaid policy, and alignment with President Donald Trump as vulnerabilities in the state. He said Medicaid cuts have affected rural healthcare access in Maine more than in most states.

Collins told Semafor she has brought $1.5 billion in federal funding to Maine over the past five years. She rejected the characterization that she constantly defends Trump and pointed to her vote against a Republican tax cut bill that included Medicaid reductions.

Collins said Democrats have raised similar arguments before and described the coming race as hard-fought. She noted that several Senate Democrats have so far declined to endorse Democratic candidate Graham Platner.

Schumer said the Maine contest is one of six states he is targeting to flip Republican seats this fall. The party needs a net gain of four seats while holding Michigan, Georgia, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. He said he is looking for candidates who fit their states rather than mirroring the national party and wants a durable majority rather than a narrow one.

Schumer declined to comment on Montana and Nebraska, where independents are running against Republicans.