A new internal Democrat poll is making headlines, claiming that far-left Democrat Dan Kleban is gaining ground against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine’s critical Senate race.
But political insiders say this poll is nothing more than a liberal scare tactic designed to fire up the Democrat base and raise money — not an accurate reflection of what Maine voters truly believe.
Democrats Smell Blood in the Water
Kleban, a progressive beer company owner with deep ties to liberal special interests, is running on a typical far-left platform of higher taxes, more government spending, and heavy-handed environmental regulations.
In a statement to Newsweek, Kleban slammed Collins, claiming she is out of touch:
“The cost of living is too high, and Mainers feel it every day. Susan Collins has been in Washington for 30 years and lost touch with the people she represents.”
Democrats see Maine as one of their best chances to flip a Republican-held seat, which could help Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer regain full control of Congress.
Republicans Fire Back: ‘Bogus Democrat Poll’
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) quickly fired back, calling the poll nothing but political theater.
“When voters think of Maine, they think of Susan Collins and everything she’s delivered for her state,” said NRSC spokesperson Samantha Cantrell. “This is a bogus internal Democrat poll from a no-name candidate who probably won’t even survive his own messy eight-way primary.”
Collins has a long history of proving the polls wrong. In 2020, she didn’t lead a single public poll heading into Election Day — and then crushed Democrat Sara Gideon with over 50% of the vote.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
Maine leans blue at the presidential level — Kamala Harris carried the state by seven points last election — but it has a strong independent streak.
The state’s conservative-leaning Second District has backed Republicans before, and Maine voters have a long history of supporting moderate GOP leaders like Collins.
But Democrats are pouring money into the race. Billionaire donors and left-wing groups like MoveOn and ActBlue are working overtime to paint Collins as a Trump loyalist — despite her decades of independent service to Maine voters.
Polls Show a Mixed Picture
While Kleban’s internal poll claims he’s up by nine points (44% to 35%), other surveys tell a very different story.
- A University of New Hampshire poll from June found only 14% of voters view Collins favorably — but many of those surveyed were liberal Democrats who never support Republicans.
- A Pan Atlantic Research poll painted a brighter picture, showing 49% of Mainers view Collins favorably, while only 45% view her unfavorably.
This proves why internal polls are unreliable. They are often released selectively by campaigns to push a narrative that benefits them.
Trump’s Role in the Maine Battle
The same Democrat poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Maine at 43%, with 53% disapproving. Democrats will undoubtedly weaponize those numbers to try to tie Collins to Trump.
But Trump remains a massively popular figure among conservative voters, and his strong leadership has energized Republicans across the country.
A Collins win in Maine would send a clear message to Washington: the Trump-led GOP is standing strong against Democrat overreach.
Why Democrats Are Desperate
Democrats need to flip just a handful of seats to reclaim full control of the Senate — and Maine is one of their top targets.
Jill Normington of Normington Petts, the firm behind the poll, admitted as much in a press release:
“This Senate seat is primed for the taking… Collins’ past success was due to crossover support among Democrats and Independents, but that support is evaporating.”
Multiple Democrats are already jockeying for position, including far-left Governor Janet Mills, who Schumer reportedly wants as his hand-picked candidate.
The Bottom Line
Democrats are desperate and willing to say anything to win back power.
Susan Collins has beaten the odds before — and with President Trump’s leadership and a divided Democrat field, she can do it again.
Maine voters have a choice:
- A proven leader who has delivered for her state.
- Or a far-left Democrat backed by Chuck Schumer and radical activists.
The Cook Political Report currently lists the race as “Lean Republican,” meaning Collins still has the upper hand — but only if conservatives turn out in force to stop the radical left from flipping the Senate.