U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) made it known during a campaign stop in Vassalboro Friday that she intends to seek reelection in 2026 for her sixth term in office.
Despite confirming these intentions, Sen. Collins emphasized that her focus currently remains on the work she does as a member and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Given the Republican Party’s success in obtaining control of the Senate, Collins indicated that she expects to be made Chair of the Committee next session.
“My primary focus for this year, this upcoming year, is going to be overseeing the appropriations process,” Collins said in an interview with WMTW.
“I fully expect that I will be chair the Appropriations Committee. That will be the first time a Mainer has served as a chairman of the most powerful committee in the Senate in 92 years,” she said. “So we’re overdue.”
Collins has been a member of the Senate since 1997 and became Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee in 2023. From 2015 to 2021, Collins chaired the Senate Aging Committee. Prior to that, she chaired the Senate Homeland Security Committee from 2003 to 2007.
Collins has recently commented on former and President-elect Donald Trump’s (R) picks to fill key roles in the executive branch, directing particular criticism toward the nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz as United States Attorney General.
She described his selection as “shocking” due to the serious allegations against the representative, including sex trafficking and drug use.
Gaetz has never been charged with any crime.
Although appearing hesitant to make any firm characterizations of his nomination, Collins has referred to prior statements made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has been nominated to head up the Department of Health and Human Services.
“I anticipate having ample opportunity to question him and learn more about his views,” she reportedly said to members of the press.
Collins also spoke to the lack of FBI background checks for some nominees, noting that this has been “standard procedure for a very long time,” and she “expects this is what the Senate will want to see.”
With respect to the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — designed to help reduce unnecessary and inefficient government spending — Collins appeared hopeful, especially regarding the involvement of Tesla CEO and majority-owner of X Elon Musk.
“I’m looking forward to hearing the recommendations of this new commission that Elon Musk will be involved with. Coming from the private sector, I’m sure he will have a lot of great ideas for us to consider,” Collins said, according to News Center Maine.
Despite these remarks, Collins has said that it would be premature to take positions on any of the former president’s selection until the confirmation process is underway.
Collins also reiterated her commitment to representing the interests of Mainers, regardless of who occupies the White House, when asked by members of the media how she planned to work with a second Trump administration.
Concerning the possibility of recess appointments — whereby the President can make appointments without Senate confirmations — Collins indicated that she does not believe the Senate will allow this to happen.
“It would be a mistake in most cases to curtail the investigative process and the public hearings because that is the Senate’s Constitutional responsibility,” Collins said, according to WGME.
“Certainly, when we’re talking about cabinet positions, we need to go through the normal process that the Senate carries out, that’s our duty, and I believe that’s what will happen,” she added.
nope, go home you’re delusional. only dems would vote for that rino.
Collins can seek reelection, but she won’t win. Her betrayals to the party have sealed her fate!
Please step down now
Collins voted to appoint Garland
And Richard/Rachel Levine?
Staying on will only serve to further diminish her legacy
Hypocrite.
She signed a pledge and is video saying she would only serve 2 terms.
She voted to approve just about all Biden’s nominees, including Rachel Levine, Mayor Pete & Merrick Garland after proclaiming Presidents have great latitude in choosing nominees and it’s the Senate’s job to approve them.
She knows the charges against Gaetz & Hegseth have been debunked.
Collins is a liar.
She’s making so much money from insider trading and PACs. There’s a nice little chart circulating on X.
If she defies Donald Trump out of the gate she will retire in 2 years a shamed ex Senator.
A. B. C. anyone but Collins. Even that lying, cheating, protect child porn collectors, commie (B)witch Bellows. Okay maybe not that one. Guess I would have to vote for Old Yellow, the dog, not another yellow reDUMBlican. Come on M-GOP give us a choice from the backstabbing RINOs or the front stabbing demoKKKrats.
Ahhhh, such a voice of reason. Not! She’s an anti-Trump political hack whose time to retire is long overdue.
I wish Maine had dynamic conservative to run against her in the primaries.
Look at Portland and smarten up .
I had to bite my tongue and hold my nose last time I voted for Suuuusann Coooolinns. They can run a vegetable against her next time and I wont vote for her. Nope, not gonna do it.
Collins, appropriate yourself to retirement. Reasonable Maine citizens are sick of your act.
Time to go, times have changed
Need a GOP primary
She will be primaried because of her gutless behavior. The only way that will not happen is if she vote yes on Trump’s cabinet picks. She had no problem voting for Garland. She is a DemocRAT thru and thru, just like King.
Needs a primary from a serious conservative, That conservative will face an incredible money disadvantage, a remnant lamestream media shilling for her, thousands of GOP voters who aren’t paying attention to her “silly” games and then have to go up against a Democrat party who will pour many millions into the General election. Not to mention a significant name recognition advantage. The weak GOP apparatus will be there when she needs her again.
The GOP leaders here in Maine need to do some serious work in the next couple of years.
They need to produce a candidate that will not only beat Collins but also the Democrats.
Collins has been a pseudo Republican and always votes against the party. Time for Maine to have a real voice in Congress.
Who is running against Sue?
Are all of you hearing the arrogance in her responses, “I wonder what recommendations they will have for us to consider,” Referring to DOGE and Mr Musk. Did she not see the results of Trump’s election? The swamp is beginning their insidious fight already. They will not go quietly.
She’s been there LONG ENOUGH!!! GO HOME AND RETIRE!!! And take that looser KING with you ! what ales these people. Is the grift that good that she can’t stop taking-stealing our money !?? We need a REAL MAINER to run against her, not another politician already entrenched in posion politics!
I have voted for Collins in the past .
But
I will vote against Susan Collins for any position she runs for in the future .
She has betrayed the Republican Party on more than one occasion .
She’s a democrat . ( I always knew she was )
So is Angus King .
I want Republicans to be in charge for a change .
Susan Collins DOES NOT represent change .
Time to turn the page on Collins .
retire you rino
Sue help ICE round up illegals. It would be like Trump cooking french fries.
I voted for her in the past but not the last election and never again. Collins should run as a democrat since she certainly isn’t a republican.
She is responsible for the invasion of our Southern Border, nothing but a human trafficker
I would love to get rid of her but if we do we’ll get a uber liberal in her place
Anyone know who Susie actually represents besides herself? Maybe she can an endorsement for Liz, Mitt, Lisa …
Does she honestly think that we’re going to believe her AP quote regarding Matt Gaetz? False allegations leaked to the Washington Post by John Bolton. No proof, no charges yet she feels the need to bring this bullshit up. Hopefully we can primary this woman out, she doesn’t represent anybody in Maine.
Please don’t run, Collins! Your shaking makes me dizzy! You are a democrat so run as one, then.
STOP buying from S.W. COLLINS Lumber and Hardware stores. Her family will crucify her. And BYE BYE!
My bad…. I should have stated….”Bud Lite” S,W. Collins in northern Maine. Bud Lite hasn’t recovered yet.
Is Sue going on patrol at Bayside to help woman?
She needs to be removed in the Primaries. I would highly suggest former Auburn Mayor Jason J. Levesque run for the U.S. Senate.
Thankfully, with a 53 GOP in the Senate…..
NO NEED to COW-TOW to collins anymore to GET SCHIFF DONE!
I would like to ask Susan why a study to determine how quail have sex after getting high on marijuana is proper use of taxpayer money. She is a big shot in the Senate appropriation committee. Is she dense or plain stupid?
I’ve always been respectful when voicing my opinions to Senator Collins but long ago her office stopped acknowledging my contacts. Collins is a disgrace and is solely motivated by her perceived reelection probabilities.
2026, will be the first time in my adult like I’ll vote for a democrat, at least I know what I’m getting!
Bill, I never get a response from her office on emails I’ve sent. She simply doesn’t GAF about her fellow Mainers. I will give plenty of money to anyone that opposes her. Like I did for Trump and Austin.
The 2024 Conservative Mandate is very clear. She’s a dinosaur….And liar. “I’ll only run 2 terms”
The wide margin voters gave Donald J Trump at the polls means he has a mandate Senator. It’s not your place to interfere with that mandate.
Billy Bob Faulkingham should run against Collins in the next primary.He’d make a better senator than this old bird.
She’s taken $647,758 from AIPAC.
I’ve voted GOP all my life. If the Maine GOP does not give us a suitable candidate to run in her place in 2026, I WILL vote for the democRAT running against her. Better to know your enemy than to have them hiding in your camp !!!