The2020 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of theUnited States Senate to represent theState of Maine , concurrently with the2020 U.S. presidential election , as well asother elections to the United States Senate,elections to theUnited States House of Representatives , and variousstate and local elections . This was Maine's first election for its Class 2 seat to use itsranked choice voting system . Because the first round of the general election saw a majority, the instant runoff tabulation of more than 800,000 ballots was not carried out.
Republican SenatorSusan Collins was challenged by Democratic nomineeSara Gideon , the speaker of theMaine House of Representatives , as well as independent candidates Lisa Savage and Max Linn. Collins was considered one of the most vulnerable Republican senators due to her decreased polling numbers and perceived harm to her reputation, but she was re-elected by an unexpectedly large 8.6% margin, with 51% of the vote to Gideon's 42.4%. Despite this, her 51% share of the vote was her worst performance since her first election in 1996 and was a 17-point drop from 2014. Maine was the only state to elect a senator of a different party than the winner ofits presidential contest in the November 3 election, with Collins outperforming PresidentDonald Trump , who lost the state to Democratic nomineeJoe Biden by 9.1%.[ 1]
Republican senatorSusan Collins , widely considered one of the two least conservative Republican U.S. senators (the other beingLisa Murkowski ), ran for a fifth term.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Collins was criticized for her decision to vote to confirmBrett Kavanaugh to theUnited States Supreme Court despite his anti-abortion stances (Collins describes herself as pro-choice) and allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against him, though she gave a highly publicized speech on the Senate floor explaining her reasoning.[ 7] [ 8] impeachment of President Donald Trump . Collins voted in favor of allowing witness testimony in the Senate trial, and was the first Republican to do so,[ 9] abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16] 1996 campaign, though she has explained this as a product of having learned the value of seniority in the Senate. The emphasis on seniority became a key theme of her campaign.[ 17] [ 18] Paycheck Protection Program and other aid for small businesses, and her growing seniority and influence in the Senate, in particular her potential chairwomanship of theAppropriations Committee .
The Democratic nominee,Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Sara Gideon , supports criminal justice reforms, expansion of theAffordable Care Act , rejoining theParis Climate Accord , and imposing universal background checks on gun sales to combat gun violence. In 2019, Gideon faced an election ethics complaint for accepting reimbursements for her political donations from her own PAC. Gideon apologized for the violation, reimbursed the federal government a total of $3,250, and closed the PAC.[ 19] Maine House of Representatives adjourned for most of the year (neighboring New Hampshire had reconvened its sizably larger legislature by late spring) and for allegedly turning a blind eye to a legislative colleague accused of molesting underage girls until she was forced to acknowledge the scandal.[ 20] [ 21]
Lisa Savage, a longtime antiwar activist and schoolteacher fromSolon , initially sought theMaine Green Independent Party nomination, but in late February, she announced her intention to instead qualify for the ballot as an independent due to Maine's restrictive ballot access measures.[ 22] [ 23] Secretary of State's office and thus qualified for the general election ballot.
Max Linn, a financial planner and conservative activist fromBar Harbor , was a Trump supporter and former candidate of the Republican andReform parties. In July 2020, he qualified for the ballot as an independent. Former Republican state senatorMary Small challenged the signatures on his petition, but the secretary of state found that he had enough and he was placed on the ballot.[ 24] [ 25]
Party primaries were initially scheduled to take place on June 9, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic andits impact on the state , GovernorJanet Mills rescheduled them for July 14. Mills's executive order also expanded voters' ability to request absentee ballots, which could then be done up to and on election day.[ 26] ranked choice voting . Parties qualified to participate in the 2020 primary election were the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and theMaine Green Independent Party .
Eliminated in primary [ edit ] Amy Colter, law office manager (write-in candidate)[ 28] Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Derek Undecided Public Policy Polling (D) [ 34] October 11–13, 2019 271 (LV) ± 6% 55% 10% 34%
Hypothetical polling
with Susan Collins and Paul LePage
with Susan Collins and Shawn Moody
with Susan Collins and generic Republican if Collins supported impeaching Trump
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Generic Undecided Public Policy Polling (D) [ 34] October 11–13, 2019 271 (LV) ± 6% 35% 55% 10
with Susan Collins and Derek Levasseur if Collins supported impeaching Trump
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Derek Undecided Public Policy Polling (D) [ 34] October 11–13, 2019 271 (LV) ± 6% 37% 24% 39%
with Susan Collins and generic Republican
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Generic Undecided Public Policy Polling (D) [ 34] October 11–13, 2019 271 (LV) ± 6% 53% 38% 9%
On April 20, 2019, attorney and activist Bre Kidman became the first person to announce their candidacy for the Democratic nomination. If elected, they would have been the first evernon-binary U.S. Senator.[ 36] [ 37] Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon announced her candidacy, receiving widespread media coverage.[ 38] [ 39] [ 40] [ 41] WCSH was attended only by Sweet and Kidman.[ 42] [ 43] [ 44]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ] Shenna Bellows ,state senator and nominee for U.S. Senate in2014 [ 53] Seth Berry , state representative (endorsed Gideon)[ 54] Emily Cain , executive director ofEMILY's List , nominee for Maine's 2nd congressional district in2014 and2016 , former state senator, and formerstate representative [ 31] [ 55] [ 56] Adam Cote, candidate forMaine's 1st congressional district in2008 and candidate for governor of Maine in2018 [ 31] Matthew Dunlap ,Maine Secretary of State and candidate for U.S. Senate in2012 [ 31] [ 57] [ 58] Jared Golden , incumbent U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district and former state representative[ 59] James Howaniec, former mayor ofLewiston [ 57] Stephen King , author[ 31] [ 60] [ 61] Daniel Kleban, businessman[ 53] Janet Mills , governor of Maine and formerattorney general of Maine [ 55] Chellie Pingree , incumbent U.S. representative for Maine's 1st congressional district and nominee for the U.S. Senate in2002 [ 31] [ 53] [ 55] Hannah Pingree , former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (endorsed Gideon)[ 54] Susan Rice , formerUnited States National Security Advisor and formerUnited States Ambassador to the United Nations [ 62] Cecile Richards , former president ofPlanned Parenthood [ 63] Zak Ringelstein, schoolteacher and nominee for U.S. Senate in2018 (endorsed Sweet)[ 64] Rosa Scarcelli, businesswoman and candidate for governor of Maine in2010 [ 58] [ 55] Ethan Strimling , formermayor of Portland and candidate for Maine's 1st congressional district in2008 [ 55] Results by county Green Independent Party [ edit ] Two candidates declared their intentions to run for theMaine Green Independent Party 's nomination, but one withdrew and the other left the party to become an independent. Lisa Savage left the party because of Maine's ballot access requirements; Savage needed 2,000 registered party members to sign a nomination petition to appear on the ballot as the Green Party candidate but could only gather them from January 1 until the March 15 deadline. The Green Party had roughly 41,000 members statewide, which was significantly fewer than the Democratic and Republican parties but nonetheless required the same number of signatures. No alternative party candidate for statewide office had been able to meet this requirement sincePat LaMarche did so in 2006 for governor. Instead, Savage sought to appear as an independent candidate, which required 4,000 signatures, but they may be from any registered voter, not just party members, and they could have been gathered until the June deadline.[ 23]
David Gibson, solar design specialist (endorsed Savage )[ 68] Lisa Savage, school teacher[ 69] (switched to independent) [ 70] Write-in candidates [ edit ] Independent Lisa Savage is a peace activist and retired schoolteacher fromSolon, Maine . Eight Independents declared their candidacy for Senate in 2020, including one affiliated with theLibertarian Party of Maine , which lost ballot access after the 2018 elections.[ 75] [ 72]
Joshua Arnone, accounting clerk affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Maine[ 28] [ 72] Steven Golieb,Millinocket town councilor[ 76] [ 72] Leigh Hawes, truck driver[ 77] [ 72] Danielle VanHelsing, LGBTQ rights activist[ 51] [ 72] Linda Wooten, vocational educator and conservative activist[ 28] [ 72] The four candidates participated in two in-person debates on September 11 and September 29, both held without an audience.[ 87] county in Maine , but such a schedule was not agreed upon.[ 88]
2020 United States Senate election in Maine debates N° Date Moderator Participants Key: P Participant. NI Not invited. Republican Democratic Independent Independent United States Senator Susan Collins Maine House SpeakerSara Gideon Financial planner Public schoolteacher Friday, September 11, 2020 Pat Callaghan
P P P P 2 Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Kelly O'Mara
P P P P 3 Thursday, October 15, 2020 Jennifer Rooks
P P P P 4 Thursday, October 22, 2020 Pat Callaghan
P P P P 5 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Steve Bottari
P P NI
NI
Susan Collins (R)
U.S. presidents
U.S. senators
U.S. governors
Individuals
Organizations
Sara Gideon (D)
U.S. presidents
U.S. vice presidents
U.S. senators
Members of U.S. Congress
State executive officials
State legislators
Individuals
Stephen King , author[ 110] Ross LaJeunesse, former aide to George J. Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Steve Westly and Arnold Schwarzenegger[ 111] Organizations
Unions
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Sara Lisa Other / Change Research [ 132] October 29 – November 2, 2020 1,024 (LV) ± 3.5% 42%[ f] 46% 7% 5%[ g] 46%[ h] 54% – – Emerson College [ 133] October 29–31, 2020 611 (LV) ± 3.9% 46%[ i] 48% 5% 5%[ j] 47%[ k] 51% – 5%[ l] SurveyUSA [ 134] October 23–27, 2020 1007 (LV) ± 3.7% 45%[ f] 46% 4% 5%[ m] 49%[ n] 51% – – Colby College [ 135] [2] October 21–25, 2020 879 (LV) ± 3.3% 43%[ f] 47% 5% 5%[ o] 44%[ p] 49% – 7%[ q] Pan Atlantic Research [ 136] October 2–6, 2020 600 (LV) ± 4.5% 40%[ f] 47% 5% 8%[ r] 41%[ s] 49% 1% 9%[ t] Critical Insights [ 137] September 25 – October 4, 2020 466 (LV) ± 4.4% 43%[ f] 44% 3% 11%[ u] 43%[ k] 46% 1% 10%[ v] Data for Progress (D) [ 138] September 23–28, 2020 718 (LV) ± 3.7% 41%[ f] 46% 3% 11%[ w] 42%[ x] 50% – 8%[ y] Colby College [ 139] [3] September 17–23, 2020 847 (LV) ± 3.4% 41%[ f] 45% 3% 11%[ z] 43%[ s] 47% – 6%[ aa] Moore Information (R) [ 140] [ A] September 20–22, 2020 600 (LV) – 42% 42% – 9%[ ab] Suffolk University [ 141] September 17–20, 2020 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 41%[ f] 46% 4% 7%[ ac] 42%[ ad] 49% 1% 8%[ ae] Siena College /NYT Upshot [ 142] September 11–16, 2020 663 (LV) ± 5.1% 40%[ f] 44% 2% 2%[ af] 44%[ ag] 49% 0% 7%[ ah] Quinnipiac University [ 143] September 10–14, 2020 1,183 (LV) ± 2.9% 42% 54% – 4%[ ai] Citizen Data [ 144] September 4–7, 2020 600 (LV) ± 4% 41% 49% 1% 9%[ aj] Fabrizio Ward /Hart Research Associates [ 145] [ B] August 30 – September 5, 2020 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 43%[ f] 44% 6% 8%[ ak] 47%[ x] 48% – 5%[ al] Public Policy Polling [ 146] August 13–14, 2020 571 (V) ± 4.1% 44% 49% – 7%[ am] Critical Insights [ 147] [4] July 28 – August 9, 2020 453 (LV) ± 4.3% 38% 43% 5% 15%[ an] 499 (RV) 35%[ f] 43% 5% 18%[ ao] 37%[ p] 44% 1% 18%[ ap] Quinnipiac University [ 148] July 30 – August 3, 2020 807 (RV) ± 3.5% 43% 47% – 10%[ aq] RMG Research [ 149] July 27 – August 2, 2020 500 (RV) ± 4.5% 41% 48% – 11%[ ar] Data for Progress [ 150] July 24 – August 2, 2020 866 (LV) ± 3.0% 45% 48% – 7%[ as] Colby College /SocialSphere [ 151] July 18–24, 2020 888 (LV) ± 3.9% 39% 44% – 18%[ at] Public Policy Polling [ 152] July 22–23, 2020 561 (V) ± 3.6% 42% 47% – 11%[ ar] Public Policy Polling [ 153] July 2–3, 2020 1,022 (V) ± 3.1% 42% 46% – 11%[ ar] Moore Information (R) [ 154] [ A] June 20–24, 2020[ au] 600 (RV) ± 4.0% 45% 37% 3% 1%[ av] Victory Geek (D) [ 65] May 13–18, 2020 512 (LV) ± 4.3% 42% 51% – 7%[ am] Tarrance Group (R) [ 155] [ C] April 2020 –[ aw] – 48% 47% – 5% Public Policy Polling [ 156] March 2–3, 2020 872 (V) ± 3.3% 43% 47% – 10%[ ax] Colby College /SocialSphere [ 66] February 10–13, 2020 1,008 (LV) ± 3.1% 42% 43% – 14%[ ay] Fabrizio Ward [ 157] [ B] July 29–31, 2019 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 52% 35% – 13%[ az] Gravis Marketing [ 158] June 24, 2019 767 (RV) ± 3.5% 44% [ ba] 30% – 26%[ bb] 52% [ x] 36% – 12%[ bc] Pan Atlantic Research [ 159] March 4–13, 2019 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 51% 29% – 20%[ bd]
Hypothetical polling
with Betsy Sweet
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Betsy Sweet (D) Susan Other / Victory Geek (D) [ 65] May 13–18, 2020 512 (LV) ± 4.3% 44% 43% 10%
with Susan Rice
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Susan Susan Other / Emerson College [ 160] [5] October 27–29, 2018 883 (LV)[ be] ± 3.5% 20% 44% 35%
with generic Democrat
with generic Democrat if Collins supportsimpeaching Donald Trump
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Generic Susan Other / Public Policy Polling [ 161] October 11–13, 2019 939 (V) ± 3.2% 38% 32% 30%[ bh]
with generic Democrat if Collins opposes impeaching Donald Trump
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Generic Susan Other / Public Policy Polling [ 161] October 11–13, 2019 939 (V) ± 3.2% 47% 40% 13%[ bi]
with Generic Opponent
with Generic Republican and Generic Democrat
Like many RepublicanSenate candidates in 2020 , Collins did much better on Election Day than pre-election polls predicted; nearly all of them predicted her defeat.[ 164] [ 165] [ 166]
By county
County Susan Collins Republican Sara Gideon Democratic Lisa SavageIndependent Max LinnIndependent Write-in Margin Total # % # % # % # % # % # % Androscoggin 32,979 56.19 22,181 37.79 2,438 4.15 1,090 1.86 2 0.00 10,798 18.40 58,690 Aroostook 24,033 67.51 9,750 27.39 1,072 3.01 743 2.09 3 0.01 14,283 40.12 35,601 Cumberland 74,592 38.45 105,308 54.29 11,907 6.14 2,138 1.10 39 0.02 -30,716 -15.83 193,984 Franklin 9,817 56.47 6,276 36.10 969 5.57 322 1.85 0 0.00 3,541 20.37 17,384 Hancock 17,371 49.19 15,379 43.55 1,821 5.16 736 2.08 8 0.02 1,992 5.64 35,315 Kennebec 39,481 54.92 27,664 38.49 3,407 4.74 1,324 1.84 10 0.01 11,817 16.44 71,886 Knox 11,705 45.44 12,190 47.32 1,461 5.67 399 1.55 3 0.01 -485 -1.88 25,758 Lincoln 12,075 51.08 10,102 42.73 1,111 4.70 349 1.48 3 0.01 1,973 8.35 23,640 Oxford 19,567 58.54 11,705 35.02 1,511 4.52 635 1.90 4 0.01 7,862 23.52 33,422 Penobscot 51,088 59.96 28,958 33.98 3,461 4.06 1,600 1.88 100 0.12 22,130 25.97 85,207 Piscataquis 6,603 66.95 2,655 26.92 394 3.99 210 2.13 0 0.00 3,948 40.03 9,862 Sagadahoc 11,558 48.08 10,787 44.87 1,354 5.63 337 1.40 3 0.01 771 3.21 24,039 Somerset 17,861 64.92 7,355 26.73 1,770 6.43 525 1.91 3 0.01 10,506 38.18 27,514 Waldo 12,538 51.57 9,768 40.18 1,604 6.60 394 1.62 9 0.04 2,770 11.39 24,313 Washington 11,196 64.56 5,251 30.28 547 3.15 338 1.95 10 0.06 5,945 34.28 17,342 York 64,092 49.46 57,826 44.63 5,389 4.16 2,255 1.74 16 0.01 6,266 4.84 129,578 Overseas 1,089 19.28 4,068 72.02 363 6.43 113 2.00 15 0.27 -2,979 -52.74 5,648 Totals 417,645 50.98 347,223 42.39 40,579 4.95 13,508 1.65 228 0.03 70,422 8.60 819,183
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
By congressional district [ edit ] Collins won one of the two congressional districts in the state, which also elected a Democrat.[ 168]
Gideon underperformed Biden by 10.6%, the second-worst underperformance by a Democratic Senate candidate in the country.[ 169] Wells , a coastal town in the state'sliberal southwest corner, where Biden won by 14% and Collins by 6%.[ 170]
During his presidency, Collins's stance on Trump waffled, as he did not share her moderate politics but had a strong base in Maine's sprawling, rural2nd congressional district . Collins voted against theAffordable Care Act repeal, but for the GOP's2017 tax bill and to acquit Trump in hisfirst impeachment . She voted to confirm Trump's nomineesBrett Kavanaugh andNeil Gorsuch to theSupreme Court but against the confirmation ofAmy Coney Barrett just days before the 2020 election, citing disagreement with process.[ 171]
Partisan clients
^a b Poll sponsored by theNRSC , which exclusively supports Republican candidates in U.S. Senate elections. ^a b c d Poll sponsored byAARP . ^ Poll sponsored by the 1820 PAC. ^ Poll sponsored by Our Lives on the Line Voter samples
^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Key: ^ Likely primary voter subsample of 306 likely general election Democratic voters ^ Undecided with 17% ^ Undecided with 31%; LaJeunesse with 0%; "another candidate" with 2% ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined. ^a b c d e f g h i j k Standard VI response ^ Linn (I) with 2%; "Don't recall", would not vote, and Undecided with 1%; Did not vote with 0% ^ With 3 rounds of Ranked Choice Voting ^ With voters who lean towards a given candidate ^ Linn (I) and "Someone else" with 1%; Undecided with 4% ^a b Reassigning the second preferences of Linn, Savage and "Someone else" voters ^ "No second choice" and "Someone else" with 1%; Undecided with 4% ^ Linn (I) with 1%; Undecided with 4% ^ With Ranked Choice Voting ^ Linn (I) with 2%; Undecided with 4% ^a b Reassigning the second preferences of Savage voters ^ Linn (I) with 3%; Undecided with 4% ^ Linn (I) with 2%; Undecided with 6% ^a b Reassigning the second preferences of Linn and Savage voters ^ Linn (I) with 2%; Undecided with 8% ^ Linn (I), "Someone else" and "Refused" with 1%; would not vote with 0%; Undecided with 7% ^ "No second preference" and "Refused" with 1%; Linn (I) and "Someone else" with 0%; Undecided with 7% ^ Linn (I) with 1%; Undecided with 10% ^a b c If only Collins and Gideon were candidates ^ Undecided with 8% ^ Linn (I) with 5%; Undecided with 6% ^ Undecided with 6% ^ Undecided with 9% ^ Linn (I) with 2%; "Other" and "Refused" with 1%; Undecided with 5% ^ Assigning the second preferences of non-Collins/Gideon voters ^ Linn (I) and "Refused" with 1%; "Other" with 0%; Undecided with 6% ^ Linn (I) with 2% ^ Topline after Ranked Choice Voting is used ^ Would not vote with 1%; Linn (I) and "someone else" with 0%; "Undecided/Refused" with 6% ^ "Someone else" with 1%; Undecided with 3% ^ "Other" with 2%; Linn (I) with 0%; Undecided with 7% ^ Would not vote with 1%; Undecided with 7% ^ Would not vote with 1%; Undecided with 4% ^a b c Undecided with 7% ^ "Refused" and would not vote with 1%; Undecided with 13% ^ Would not vote with 2%; "Refused" with 1%; Undecided with 14% ^ Would not vote with 2%; "Refused" with 1%; Undecided with 15% ^ "Someone else" and would not vote with 2%; Undecided with 6% ^a b c Undecided with 11% ^ "No one" with 7% ^ "Minor party candidates" with 6%; Undecided with 12% ^ Additional data sourced from FiveThirtyEight ^ Linn (I) with 1% ^a b Not yet released ^ Undecided with 10% ^ Undecided with 14% ^ Undecided with 12%; "Would not vote/would not vote for US Senate" with 1% ^ First choice on an RCV ballot if the candidates were Collins, Gideon and VanHelsing (I) ^ Undecided with 19%; VanHelsing with 7% ^a b Undecided with 12% ^ "Other" with 12%; Undecided with 8% ^ Using the likely voter screen for the2018 U.S. Senate election in Maine ^ Undecided with 15% ^ Undecided with 27% ^ Undecided with 30% ^ Undecided with 13% ^ "Refused" with 0%; Undecided with 7% ^ "Consider voting for Collins" with 40%; Undecided with 8% ^ "Undecided/Refused" with 6% ^ "Undecided/Don't know/Refused" with 15% ^ " .AP News . RetrievedNovember 15, 2020 .^ Parlapiano, Alicia; Benzaquen, Mercy (June 22, 2017)."Where Senators Stand on the Health Care Bill" .The New York Times ISSN 0362-4331 . RetrievedJuly 11, 2020 . ^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings" .The Cook Political Report ^ Leary, Mal (August 17, 2019)."New Report Calls Maine 2020 Senate Race A 'Toss-Up' .Maine Public . ^ Bowden, John (August 16, 2019)."Cook Political Report moves Susan Collins Senate race to 'toss up' .The Hill ^ Carrigan, Don (August 23, 2019)."Political expert says next year's Senate race a 'toss-up' .News Center Maine . ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress – 2nd Session" .www.senate.gov .^ "On the Nomination PN2259: Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to ... – Senate Vote #223 – Oct 6, 2018" .GovTrack.us .^ "READ: Susan Collins' statement on impeachment witness vote" . January 30, 2020.^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress – 2nd Session" .www.senate.gov .^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress – 2nd Session" .www.senate.gov .^ "Guilty or Not Guilty H.Res. 755 – Senate Vote #33 – Feb 5, 2020" .GovTrack.us .^ "Guilty or Not Guilty H.Res. 755 – Senate Vote #34 – Feb 5, 2020" .GovTrack.us .^ "Susan Collins says Trump 'has learned' from impeachment case" .theweek.com . February 4, 2020.^ Bowden, John (February 4, 2020)."Collins: Trump has learned 'a pretty big lesson' from impeachment" .The Hill . ^ Wise, Justin (February 6, 2020)."Collins admits comments about Trump learning a lesson are 'aspirational' .The Hill ^ "Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledge Senator made promise in '96, '02, admits she underestimated seniority" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJuly 8, 2020 .^ "Letter to the Editor: Collins ignores her two-term pledge" .Press Herald . RetrievedDecember 31, 2019 .^ Bowden, John (August 23, 2019)."Susan Collins challenger hit with ethics complaints over reimbursements" .The Hill . RetrievedJuly 11, 2020 . ^ Christie, Isabelle (June 15, 2020)."Pressure mounts on Speaker Gideon, President Jackson to reconvene the Maine Legislature" .The Maine Wire . ^ "The Dillon Bates case: here's everything we know" .newscentermaine.com . September 20, 2018.^ Winger, Richard (February 24, 2020)."Maine Green Party Fails to get its U.S. Senate Candidate on the Green Party Primary Ballot | Ballot Access News" . ^a b Shepherd, Michael (February 24, 2020)."Green US Senate candidate to unenroll for easier path to Maine ballot in 2020" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedAugust 22, 2020 . ^ "Max Linn Cleared For Ballot After Challenge Is Withdrawn" .www.mainepublic.org .AP . July 18, 2020.^ Piper, Jessica (July 28, 2020)."Max Linn now says he'll only quit Senate race if Susan Collins endorses 5 policies" .Bangor Daily News ^ Andrews, Caitlin (December 18, 2019)."Mills officially pushes back June elections to July 14" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedApril 10, 2020 . ^ Ohm, Rachel (December 18, 2019)."Sen. Susan Collins announces re-election campaign" .Portland Press Herald . RetrievedDecember 18, 2019 . ^a b c "MAINE" .Politics1 . RetrievedMay 17, 2020 .^ Shepherd, Michael (March 25, 2019)."A Trump Republican says he'll challenge Susan Collins from the right in 2020" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedMarch 25, 2019 . ^ Shepherd, Michael (September 9, 2019)."Longshot Republican primary challenger to Susan Collins exits 2020 race" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedSeptember 10, 2019 . ^a b c d e f g Milliard, Mike (May 23, 2019)."Calling all challengers" .Pine Tree Watch . RetrievedMay 24, 2019 . ^ Thistle, Scott (June 8, 2018)."Federal judge rejects Max Linn's effort to run in Maine Republican primary" .Portland Press Herald . RetrievedJune 8, 2018 . ^ @mikeshepherdME (August 4, 2019).".@BrucePoliquin confirms that he won't run for office in 2020. It might leave @SenatorBrakey alone in the #me02 primary. #mepolitics" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^a b c d e f Public Policy Polling (D) ^ "Maine U.S. Senate Republican Primary" .Maine Secretary of State . August 8, 2020. RetrievedAugust 8, 2020 .^ Collins, Steve (May 3, 2019)." .Lewiston Sun Journal . RetrievedJune 19, 2020 . ^a b Shepherd, Michael (June 13, 2019)."Progressive Democrat Betsy Sweet unveils bid to challenge Susan Collins" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJune 13, 2019 . ^a b Graham, Gillian (June 24, 2019)."Gideon announces she will challenge Collins in 2020" .Kennebec Journal . RetrievedJune 24, 2019 . ^ Saul, Stephanie (June 24, 2019)."Sara Gideon to Challenge Susan Collins for Maine Senate Seat" .The New York Times . RetrievedJune 25, 2019 . ^ Wagner, John (June 24, 2019)."Susan Collins draws a Democratic challenger who seeks to undermine her moderate image" .The Washington Post . RetrievedJune 25, 2019 . ^ Cillizza, Chris (June 24, 2019)."Susan Collins had a very bad day today" .CNN . RetrievedJune 25, 2019 . ^ "Maine Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Sara Gideon skips debate" .Press Herald .Associated Press . June 9, 2020. RetrievedJuly 13, 2020 .^ "Maine Democratic US Senate hopeful Gideon misses debate" .Newsradio WGAN .Associated Press . RetrievedJuly 13, 2020 .^ Piper, Jessica (July 7, 2020)."Underdogs get last chance to challenge Democratic favorite in Maine US Senate debate" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJuly 13, 2020 . ^ Collins, Steve (April 22, 2019)."Saco lawyer Bre Kidman seeks Democratic backing to challenge Susan Collins" .Lewiston Sun Journal . RetrievedApril 22, 2019 . ^ Weinland, Gerald [@DirigoBlue] (December 19, 2018)."Michael Bunker of Bangor has filed to run as a Dem against @SenatorCollins in 2020 #mepolitics #mesen" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^ "Christine Gates" .Ballotpedia . RetrievedJanuary 15, 2020 .^ LaJeunesse, Ross (March 26, 2020)."Statement from Ross LaJeunesse" .Medium . RetrievedMarch 26, 2020 . ^ Dr Cathleen London [@DrChaya] (July 16, 2018)."I am running because #SCOTUS cannot wait @SenatorCollins needs to realize that Maine & the country are watching & she was held accountable for her votes #mepolitics My announcement: https://www.doctorcatlondonforme.com/_api/media-share-server-for-video/crp5?instance-id=5f191a6c-020c-4fc6-9b82-2786411308cb&component-id=comp-jjog8axh&channel-id=2435a32f-3d87-4ae1-aac4-b8175b02e63c&video-id=b3603e263c0a42348786f1c1f8fe8d60&bi-token=8a23ff18-94ae-0e5a-0a87-60cb8863dede … @DrCat4ME" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . [dead link ^ "LONDON, Cathleen Greenberg Dr – Candidate overview" .FEC.gov .^a b Collins, Steve (January 25, 2019)."Independent challenging Collins aims to be first transgender member of Congress" .Brunswick Times Record . RetrievedJanuary 26, 2019 . ^ Morin, Ed (October 22, 2019)."Retired General From Oxford Withdraws From US Senate Race" .MPBN . RetrievedOctober 22, 2019 . ^a b c Shepherd, Michael (January 18, 2019)."Democrats aren't racing to run against Susan Collins in 2020" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJanuary 24, 2019 . ^a b @SaraGideonME (June 24, 2019)."Unbelievably honored to have the endorsement of so many Mainers as I launch my campaign for U.S. Senate to defeat Susan Collins. I will always put Maine first and I'm proud to have the support of these dedicated public servants. #MESen #MEpolitics" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^a b c d e Villeneuve, Marina; Peoples, Steve; Pace, Julie (October 9, 2018)."Democrats lining up to consider challenging Collins in 2020" .Associated Press . RetrievedOctober 12, 2018 . ^ Dan Merica; Eric Bradner; Gregory Krieg."The effort to unseat Susan Collins in 2020 is already underway" .CNN . RetrievedOctober 6, 2018 . ^a b Collins, Steve (May 6, 2019)."Lewiston lawyer might challenge Collins in 2020" .Lewiston Sun Journal ^a b Shepherd, Michael (June 5, 2019)."Here's the latest on Maine Democrats mulling a run against Susan Collins in 2020" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJuly 2, 2019 . ^ Collins, Steve [@SteveCollinsSJ] (May 20, 2019)."Not surprising, but @RepGolden said today he is not going to run for US Senate. He said he respects @SenatorCollins & her approach to governing, even if he doesn't always agree with her. Besides, he said, his #ME02 seat is "not a stepping stone" & he plans to stay. #mepolitics" (Tweet ). RetrievedMay 20, 2019 – viaTwitter . ^ "Former Maine Gov. John Baldacci wants Stephen King to run for office: 'You've got a winner there' .Washington Examiner . September 12, 2017. RetrievedOctober 28, 2018 .^ Budryk, Zack (June 24, 2019)."Stephen King: 'It's time for Susan Collins to go' .The Hill . RetrievedJune 28, 2019 . ^ Gray, Emma; Vagianos, Alanna (April 11, 2019)."Susan Rice Will Not Run Against Susan Collins For Maine Senate Seat In 2020" .HuffPost . RetrievedApril 11, 2019 . ^ Merica, Dan; Bradner, Eric; Krieg, Gregory (October 5, 2018)."The effort to unseat Susan Collins in 2020 is already underway" .CNN . RetrievedJanuary 6, 2024 . ^ Emerson, Anthony [@AnthonyEmerso14] (June 17, 2019)."Love that Betsy Sweet has a disclaimer on emails sent from email lists that were not her own. Shows a commitment to transparency. Also, hey, @RingelsteinME is backing her!" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^a b c d Victory Geek (D) ^a b c Colby College/SocialSphere ^ "Maine U.S. Senate Democratic Primary" .Maine Secretary of State . August 8, 2020. RetrievedAugust 8, 2020 .^ Shepherd, Michael (July 23, 2019)."Green candidate's entry pushes Maine toward ranked-choice U.S. Senate race in 2020" .Bangor Daily News . RetrievedJuly 24, 2019 . ^a b "Lisa for Maine" .Lisa for Maine . Archived fromthe original on September 21, 2019. RetrievedSeptember 21, 2019 .^a b c Shephard, Michael (February 24, 2020)."Green US Senate candidate to unenroll for easier path to Maine ballot in 2020" .BDN Politics . RetrievedMay 17, 2020 . ^ Bond, Tiffany [@TiffanyBond] (November 14, 2019)."If only you hadn't voted for a tax bill that buries us in an absurd amount of debt and hinders our flexibility to find solutions. You may not have children, but I do, and they deserve a goddam future without crippling debt and a crumbling planet. Hire a mom for Senate" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^a b c d e f g "Upcoming Elections" .Maine Secretary of State . August 3, 2020. RetrievedAugust 16, 2020 .^a b c "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions" .maine.gov .^ @ForFogg (August 24, 2020)."Combined, Susan Collins and Sara Gideon have spent $30 million dollars so far trying to convince you to vote for them, or, based on the negative campaigning, convincing you not to vote for the other. You have an alternative! Write-in Douglas Fogg for U.S. Senate!" (Tweet ). RetrievedSeptember 10, 2020 – viaTwitter . ^ @MESecofState (December 17, 2018)."1/2 The Libertarian Party no longer has party status in the State of Maine, as it did not reach the threshold of 10,000 voters in the Nov. 6 General Election, as required in Maine law. If you were enrolled as a Libertarian, you are now "unenrolled" as of Dec. 4" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^ "Millinocket town councilor enters race to unseat Susan Collins" .Bangor Daily News Maine Public . February 9, 2020. RetrievedFebruary 9, 2020 .^ Cover, Susan (April 15, 2020)."Stay-at-home order threatens to derail independent candidates" .Pine Tree Watch . RetrievedJuly 10, 2020 . ^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings for October 29, 2020" .The Cook Political Report . RetrievedMarch 11, 2021 .^ "2020 Senate Ratings" .Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. RetrievedMarch 11, 2021 .^ "2020 Senate race ratings" .Sabato's Crystal Ball . RetrievedMarch 12, 2021 .^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings" .Daily Kos Elections . RetrievedMarch 13, 2021 .^ "2020 Election Forecast" .Politico ^ "Battle for the Senate 2020" .RCP . October 23, 2020.^ "2020 Senate Elections Model" .Decision Desk HQ . September 2, 2020. RetrievedSeptember 2, 2020 .^ Silver, Nate (September 18, 2020)."Forecasting the race for the Senate" .FiveThirtyEight the original on September 18, 2020. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2020 . ^ "Forecasting the US elections" .The Economist . November 2, 2020. RetrievedMarch 13, 2021 .^ Smith, Cam (September 29, 2020)."2020 Senate debate" .WAGM ^ Axelrod, Tal (July 15, 2020)."Susan Collins proposes 16 debates against challenger Gideon" .The Hill . RetrievedSeptember 20, 2020 . ^ Sonmez, Felicia (June 17, 2020)."George W. Bush to hold virtual fundraiser for Republican senators" .The Washington Post ^a b "Trump agrees '100%' that Susan Collins' 2020 re-election is crucial for Republicans" .Bangor Daily News ^ Mannino, Gabrielle (September 18, 2020)."Collins picks up endorsements from Mass. Gov., former Maine Sen. Cohen" . News Center Maine. RetrievedOctober 6, 2020 . ^ Russell, Eric (September 9, 2020)."Former Democratic senator, vice presidential nominee Lieberman endorses Collins" . ^ Everett, Burgess (April 11, 2019)."Joe Manchin endorses Susan Collins for reelection" .Politico . RetrievedApril 11, 2019 . ^ Stout, Matt (September 18, 2020)."Baker, long averse to national GOP politics, backs Susan Collins in Maine Senate race" .The Boston Globe ^ Greenwood, Max (September 18, 2020)."Blue state GOP Govs. Larry Hogan, Charlie Baker endorse Susan Collins" .The Hill . RetrievedSeptember 20, 2020 . ^ Andrews, Caitlin (August 22, 2019)."Paul LePage downplays past criticism of Susan Collins: 'I absolutely endorse' her" .Bangor Daily News ^ "2020 Candidates" .maggieslist.org .^ "Maine Fraternal Order of Police endorses Susan Collins for US Senate" .WGME . September 10, 2020.^ Obama, Barack (August 3, 2020)."First Wave of 2020 Endorsements" .Medium ^ "Joe Biden endorses Sara Gideon for US Senate" .newscentermaine.com . July 16, 2020.^ Watson, Eleanor (June 26, 2019)."National Democrats rally behind Maine lawmaker Sara Gideon's bid to beat Susan Collins" .CBS News . RetrievedJune 29, 2019 . ^ Sero, Sam (July 23, 2019)."ME-Sen: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D. IL) Helps Sara Gideon (D) Get Ready To Defeat Susan Collins (R)" . Archived fromthe original on August 14, 2019. RetrievedAugust 14, 2019 . ^ Gontcharova, Natalie (December 13, 2019)."Democrats Could Flip The Senate In 2020. Kirsten Gillibrand Wants To Be Behind That Effort" . ^ Harris, Kamala (May 9, 2020)."Kamala Harris Endorsements" .medium.com . ^ "ME-Sen: Sen. Chris Murphy (D. CT) Helps ME House Speaker Sara Gideon (D) Defeat Susan Collins (R)" .Daily Kos . June 28, 2019. RetrievedAugust 14, 2019 .^ "Endorsements | Warren Democrats" .elizabethwarren.com . Archived fromthe original on January 7, 2021. RetrievedAugust 16, 2020 .^ "Representative Chellie Pingree Endorses Sara Gideon for U.S. Senate" .SaraGideon.com . July 16, 2020. Archived fromthe original on September 13, 2020. RetrievedAugust 17, 2020 .^ "Gov. Mills endorses Gideon for US Senate" .WCSH . RetrievedJuly 16, 2020 .^ "Stacey Abrams endorses candidates in 7 US Senate contests" .MSN ^ Budryck, Zack (June 24, 2019)."Stephen King: 'It's time for Susan Collins to go' .The Hill . RetrievedJune 25, 2019 . ^ Rachel Ohm (March 26, 2020)."LaJeunesse ends Senate campaign, endorses Gideon" . ^a b c "The Voter's Self Defense System" .Vote Smart . RetrievedAugust 6, 2023 .^ "Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC" .Bend the Arc: Jewish Action .^ "Senate Candidates – Council for a Livable World" .Council for a Livable World .^ "Democratic Majority for Israel" .DMFI PAC .^ "2020 Candidates" .Emerge America . Archived fromthe original on May 12, 2020. RetrievedMay 5, 2020 .^ "Sen. Susan Collins Loses Endorsement Of Major Gun Control Group" .HuffPost ^ "2020 – Feminist Majority PAC" .feministmajoritypac.org .^ "JStreetPAC Candidates" .JStreetPAC . Archived fromthe original on May 2, 2018. RetrievedDecember 26, 2019 .^ "Meet the 2020 Candidates" .Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs .[permanent dead link ^ Miller, Hayley (June 25, 2019)."Democrat Sara Gideon Nabs 3 Key Endorsements In Maine's 2020 Senate Race" . RetrievedJune 29, 2019 . ^ "NRDC Action Fund Endorses 9 House, Senate Candidates" .www.nrdcactionfund.org . June 30, 2020.^ "2020 Endorsements" .www.plannedparenthoodaction.org . Archived fromthe original on April 12, 2020. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2020 .^ "2020 Endorsements" .Population Connection . Archived fromthe original on September 18, 2020. RetrievedMay 9, 2020 .^ "Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide: Endorsements" .Sierra Club .^ "Endorsements – Voter Protection Project" .Voter Protection Project .^ "Federal Endorsed Candidates 2019–2020" .Women's Political Committee .^a b c d e f g "Seven Labor Unions Endorse Sara Gideon for U.S. Senate" . June 24, 2019. Archived fromthe original on September 13, 2020. RetrievedJanuary 29, 2020 .^ Collins, Steve (September 4, 2019)."Jared Golden vows to remain neutral in Susan Collins' US Senate race" .Lewiston Sun Journal . RetrievedSeptember 9, 2019 . ^ 270 to Win ^ Real Clear Politics ^ Change Research ^ Emerson College ^ SurveyUSA ^ Colby College ^ Pan Atlantic Research ^ Critical Insights ^ Data for Progress (D) ^ Colby College ^ Moore Information (R) ^ Suffolk University ^a b Siena College/NYT Upshot ^a b Quinnipiac University ^ Citizen Data ^ Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates ^ Public Policy Polling ^ Critical Insights ^ Quinnipiac University ^ RMG Research ^ Data for Progress ^ Colby College/SocialSphere ^ Public Policy Polling ^ Public Policy Polling ^ Moore Information (R) ^ Tarrance Group (R) ^ Public Policy Polling ^a b c Fabrizio Ward ^ Gravis Marketing Archived June 28, 2019, at theWayback Machine ^a b Pan Atlantic Research ^ Emerson College ^a b c Public Policy Polling ^ Public Policy Polling ^ Public Policy Polling (D) Archived December 15, 2018, at theWayback Machine ^ "Polls got Senate races badly wrong — leading donors to spend in the wrong places" .The Washington Post . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2020 .^ "Senate Latest: GOP Sen. Collins wins reelection in Maine" .AP News . RetrievedNovember 13, 2020 .^ WGME (November 4, 2020)."Democrat Sara Gideon concedes to Sen. Collins" .WGME . RetrievedNovember 13, 2020 . ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election" .Maine Department of Secretary of State . RetrievedNovember 24, 2020 .^ https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::9fd5b08c-1830-4d60-a0c8-387c764ecfb0 ^ Rakich, Nathaniel (December 2, 2020)."There Wasn't That Much Split-Ticket Voting In 2020" .FiveThirtyEight . RetrievedDecember 2, 2020 . ^ "Maine Election Results" .The New York Times ISSN 0362-4331 . RetrievedMarch 5, 2021 .^ Berman, Russell (November 4, 2020)."How Susan Collins Did It" .The Atlantic . RetrievedNovember 24, 2020 . Paul Merrill (August 4, 2018)."Anonymous accusations prompt House Speaker to call on Democratic lawmaker to resign" .WMTW Ch. 8ABC .Spokeswoman confirms Speaker Gideon had heard rumors aboutDillon Bates 'several months ago' but found no proof ... In an article published Friday [Aug. 3, 2018], the monthly newspaper 'The Bollard' cites an anonymous source who says Rep. ... Bates had an inappropriate relationship with her and other high school girls over the past half-decade Brian MacQuarrie; Hanna Krueger (September 26, 2020),"Once considered a strong favorite, Collins faces toughest challenge" ,Bostonglobe.com Sarah Lyall (September 27, 2020),"In Maine, a Race About the Issues Has Become a Referendum on Susan Collins" ,The New York Times Amber Phillips (October 9, 2020),"The Senate seats most likely to flip parties in November" ,The Washington Post Elections & Voting division of theMaine Secretary of State Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association,"Maine" ,Voting & Elections Toolkits "Maine: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links" ,Vote.org "League of Women Voters of Maine" .League of Women Voters )National Institute on Money in Politics; Campaign Finance Institute,"Maine 2019 & 2020 Elections" ,OpenSecrets Official campaign websites
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