Maine Gov. Janet Mills is telling Democratic senators that she will launch a bid against GOP Sen. Susan Collins, per multiple sources familiar with the conversations.
This is a huge get for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is on a recruiting tear. But Mills will have to contend with a crowded field of Democratic challengers who didn’t wait to jump in while she made up her mind.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has endorsed oyster farmer Graham Platner and chided Senate Democrats for continuing to recruit Mills.
Collins is the only GOP senator up for reelection in a state that former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024.
Axios first reported that Mills planned to launch her bid next Tuesday.
Scoop: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer will report raising $6 million in the third quarter, bringing his total 2025 fundraising to $22 million. A former NRCC chair, Emmer has posted strong quarterly totals. Team Emmer has brought in $56 million since becoming whip in 2023.
Ad buys. Unrig Our Economy is airing new ads targeting two vulnerable GOP incumbents — Collins and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) — over ACA credits, the shutdown and health care costs. The group is putting $260,000 behind the Arizona ads and $180,000 behind the Maine spots.
