Sen. Susan Collins’ approval rating has crashed to a historic low in Maine, signaling trouble for the Republican stalwart. A recent Morning Consult survey reveals 54% of Mainers disapprove of her performance, a sharp rebuke for the senator known for her moderate stance.
Newsweek reported that the Morning Consult poll, conducted from April to June 2025, shows only 38% of Maine voters approve of Collins’ work. This marks a steep decline from the third quarter of 2024, when 50% approved and 42% disapproved, and the fourth quarter, with 47% approval and 44% disapproval.
Her votes against Trump’s key legislation, particularly a major bill signed on July 4, 2025, have fueled this downward spiral.
Collins’ decision to oppose Trump’s bill centered on its Medicaid reforms, which she argued would harm low-income families and rural healthcare providers.
“I strongly support extending tax relief for families and small businesses,” Collins said on July 1, 2025. But her concern for Medicaid doesn’t resonate with conservatives who see it as a betrayal of Trump’s vision.
That same bill, now law, was a cornerstone of Trump’s 2025 legislative push. Collins’ vote against it has painted her as out of step with the GOP base, especially in a state that backed Kamala Harris in 2024 yet retains a Republican senator. Her moderate streak, once a strength, now risks alienating her core supporters.
A Pan Atlantic Research poll from mid-May 2025 shows a slightly better but still troubling picture, with 49% of likely Maine voters viewing Collins favorably and 45% unfavorably.
This split suggests her independent streak isn’t winning over enough moderates to offset conservative frustration. The numbers paint a grim picture for her political future.
Collins, now 72 and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has long prided herself on bipartisan appeal. Yet her sponsorship of a tax hike on high earners—$25 million for individuals, $50 million for couples—to fund rural hospitals has drawn ire from fiscal conservatives.
Despite the polling nosedive, Collins remains defiant, signaling her intent to run for reelection in 2026.
She announced on July 9, 2025, that she’s encouraged by strong fundraising, with $6 million raised and $5 million cash on hand, per the Federal Election Commission. But money alone may not salvage her sinking approval. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is still backing Collins, running ads to bolster her image.
A super PAC supporting her has also raised $5.6 million in the first half of 2025. Yet whispers from the White House suggest discussions about replacements, though no prominent primary challengers have emerged.
Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine GOP, remains optimistic, claiming, “There’s generally broad support within our committee and elected officials here.”
His confidence seems misplaced when polls show Mainers turning away from Collins in droves. The GOP’s loyalty to her may waver if these trends continue.
Savage also boasted, “If Gideon or King aren’t answering the phones, voters know that Collins will.” But this folksy appeal to accessibility falls flat when voters feel she’s abandoned their priorities. Her refusal to back Trump’s agenda has left many conservatives questioning her allegiance.
Collins’ 2020 reelection, where she defeated Democrat Sara Gideon by 9 points despite Biden’s simultaneous win in Maine, showed her resilience. But that was before her approval tanked to 38%, a far cry from her once-steady popularity. Maine’s unique political landscape—split between Harris voters and a GOP senator—adds complexity to her fight.
Democrats are already lining up for 2026, with declared candidates like David Costello, the 2024 Senate nominee and former Maryland official, and Jordan Wood, ex-chief of staff to Rep. Katie Porter. Their campaigns will likely capitalize on Collins’ slipping support. The senator’s moderate tightrope walk is getting shakier by the day.
Collins isn’t alone in facing GOP voter discontent—Morning Consult’s poll also flagged negative approval ratings for Sens. Mitch McConnell, Ron Johnson, and Joni Ernst.
Yet her 54% disapproval rate is the highest in the survey’s eight-year history, a dubious distinction for the longtime senator. Maine’s conservative base wants alignment with Trump, not resistance.
Her tax hike proposal for the ultra-wealthy might appeal to some moderates, but it’s a tough sell for a GOP increasingly skeptical of any tax increases. Rural hospitals may need the funds, but conservatives argue it’s a step toward bloated government programs. Collins’ balancing act is starting to look like a stumble.
