© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Outside Money Flows Into Race For Susan Collins' Senate Seat

PORTLAND, Maine - Republican Sen. Susan Collins hasn't officially announced whether she's seeking reelection. But that isn't stopping campaign dollars from pouring into Maine.Observers predict the race will set a spending record in the state.

Advertising data shows Democrats plan to spend at least $1.2 million on ads through December. A newly formed GOP group, meanwhile, has $800,000 already in the bank, thanks to a small group of wealthy financiers.

Democrats have vowed to make Collins pay for her vote confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. But it's unclear how Maine voters will respond to refighting her contentious vote for Kavanaugh - or to the flood of outside money.

Collins has at least two Democratic challengers: House Speaker Sara Gideon and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Betsy Sweet.