Collins will face at least three primary challengers: Republicans Carmen Calabrese of Kennebunkport and Daniel Smeriglio of Frenchville, and Independent Phillip Rench of Waterboro, who also serves on the board of the Maine Space Corporation and owns Ossipee Hill Farm and Observatory. More candidates could still enter the race.

Democrats are targeting Collins’s seat as part of their broader push to gain ground in the Senate next year. So far, two Democrats have announced bids: Jordan Wood of Bristol, a former chief of staff to Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, and Natasha Alcala of Madawaska, a Navy veteran and former candidate against Senator Angus King. King, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, holds one of Maine’s Senate seats.

In her last campaign, Collins emphasized her seniority and influence, particularly her position as chair of a powerful Senate committee. She credited her role with securing over a billion dollars in federal funding for projects across Maine’s 16 counties. Collins highlighted legislation she co-authored, including the Social Security Fairness Act, which restored benefits to millions of public sector workers.

Challenger Calabrese acknowledged Collins’s appropriations power but criticized her for spending taxpayer dollars inefficiently, urging her to align more closely with Trump’s policies. “If you agree more with some of the stances that he has, maybe you’ll do better,” he said.

Rench rejected Collins’s dependence on federal funds, advocating for Maine to reduce reliance on Washington. He plans to address Maine’s “brain drain” by reforming education to support both college and trade paths. Having left Maine to work in the space industry before returning, Rench aims to revitalize the state by expanding food production, establishing a lumber reserve, and developing Maine as a leader in the space sector.

Collins faces a tough race ahead, with challengers appealing to voters seeking change in both fiscal policy and economic development.