Scoop: Pro-Collins super PAC raised $5.6 million in first half of 2025
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Susan Collins (R-Maine) at the U.S. Capitol on July 1. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
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.
- She was one of three Republican senators to vote against Trump's "one big, beautiful bill."
- And while she opposed the nomination of Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense, she ultimately supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services.
