4 days ago
Scoop: Pro-Collins super PAC raised $5.6 million in first half of 2025
A super PAC for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised $5.6 million in the first half of the year, letting the five-term senator know she'll have ample air support for her expected reelection bid in 2026.
Why it matters: Collins, the only Republican senator to represent a state won by former Vice President Harris, is a top target in 2026 for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y).
But money won't be her problem.
Her challenge will be to do as she did in 2020 — separate herself from President Trump without alienating his MAGA base. She won Maine by nearly nine percentage points that year, and Trump lost it by eight.
By the numbers: The pro-Collins PAC, called Pine Tree Results this cycle, will report $5.4 million cash on hand, according to a person familiar with its filing, due later this month.
In 2020, the 1820 PAC spent nearly $12 million to help Collins defeat Sarah Gideon, a well-financed candidate who was then the speaker of the state House of Representatives.
In the 2026 cycle, the new PAC plans to raise twice as much, according to the person familiar with the matter.
Collin's official reelection campaign reported $3.2 million in cash on hand at the end of March, having raised $550,000 in the first quarter. Its second quarter numbers are due on July 15.
Zoom out: Democrats are still looking for a marquee candidate to challenge Collins.
National Democrats are hopeful that Gov. Janet Mills (D), who has tussled with Trump, will decide to enter the race.
Jordan Wood, a former House chief of staff and Democratic political operative who grew up in Maine, has moved home to run against Collins.
Zoom in: Collins has continued to sharpen her independent brand in Trump's second term.
