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5h ago

GOP Eyes Alternative in Maine as Collins Protests Budget Deal

Trump’s irritation over her critique has prompted GOP leaders to line up a compliant candidate in case she steps aside

Senator Susan Collins speaks in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 2024.
Sen. Susan Collins has indicated she will run for her Maine Senate seat again.
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Overview

  • Sen. Susan Collins publicly objected to a massive budget bill that passed the Senate with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
  • Her mounting frustration has reignited speculation she could retire before 2026, a scenario Democrats believe would hand them a prime pickup opportunity.
  • A White House insider says President Trump is “very irritated” by Collins’s dissent and prefers a more reliable Republican contender in Maine.
  • Party strategists have quietly begun identifying potential replacements to protect the GOP’s three-seat Senate majority in next year’s midterms.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP figures warn that only Collins currently has the electoral strength to win in Democratic-trending Maine.