Politics in Maine used to be quiet. Respectful, even. You’d see a senator at a bean supper, offer a polite nod, and go about your day. But that version of Maine is basically gone. If you walked into the Searsport Community Center last August, you wouldn't have heard the usual polite applause for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Instead, you would have heard a wall of sound—boos, chants of "Shame!", and a crowd so loud that Senator Susan Collins had to move her entire event indoors just to be heard.
Honestly, the rally against Susan Collins in Searsport wasn't just a one-off moment of frustration. It was a signal. For years, the narrative was that Collins was the "untouchable" moderate who could survive any political storm. But as we head deeper into the 2026 election cycle, the vibe in the Pine Tree State has shifted from "concerned" to "furious." People aren't just holding signs anymore; they're showing up at every tiny infrastructure announcement and bridge opening to make sure she knows they haven't forgotten.
Why the Searsport Rally Against Susan Collins Changed the Game
Most political rallies are planned weeks in advance with stages and permits. The Searsport protest was different. It felt raw. About 200 people lined Route 1, and they weren't just the "usual suspects" from Portland's activist circles. These were locals. They were upset about a $9.2 million road project being used as a backdrop for a victory lap while, in their eyes, the senator had let them down on much bigger issues.
When Collins tried to speak about federal funding, she was drowned out. "Could you please just listen, for just one—" she started, but the crowd wasn't having it. One protester yelled back, "We’d like you to listen!" That’s the crux of the anger. There’s a persistent feeling among Mainers that Collins hasn't held a real, open-access town hall in over 25 years. When you don't hold town halls, the people come to your ribbon cuttings.
The grievances at these rallies are a messy, complicated mix. You've got:
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- The Kavanaugh Shadow: It never goes away. Every time a reproductive rights case hits the news, the rally against Susan Collins energy spikes. Protesters like Janis Hogan have been vocal about the fact that her "yes" vote for Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the turning point.
- Medicare and Social Security: At the Searsport event, Rachel Herbener told local news that Collins' support for certain Republican budget bills made it possible for "one-third of Mainers to lose Medicare." Whether that’s a direct statistical hit or a broader fear of GOP cuts, the anxiety is real.
- Foreign Policy: Interestingly, the August rallies saw a surge in "Stop funding genocide" signs and chants regarding Israel and Gaza. It shows that the opposition to Collins is no longer just about local Maine issues; it's a lightning rod for national and global frustration.
The Rise of Graham Platner and the Bernie Sanders Factor
You can't talk about a rally against Susan Collins without talking about the "Oysterman." Graham Platner, a Marine and Army veteran who now farms oysters, has basically become the face of the "new" Maine left. He doesn't talk like a politician. He’s blunt. He calls the current system an "oligarchy."
Last Labor Day, Platner shared a stage with Bernie Sanders in Portland. Over 6,500 people packed into the Cross Insurance Arena. That wasn't just a rally; it was a revival meeting for the anti-Collins crowd. Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour gave Platner a massive platform to frame Collins not as a "moderate," but as a protector of the billionaire class.
The contrast is wild. On one side, you have Collins, the dean of the Maine delegation, talking about "common ground" and "solving problems" in her quiet, measured tone. On the other, you have a combat veteran saying the system isn't broken—it’s functioning exactly as intended to screw over working people. This isn't the kind of primary challenge Collins is used to. Usually, the "establishment" Democrat wins the primary and tries to out-moderate her. This time, the base wants a fighter.
What Really Happened With the War Powers Resolution?
Adding fuel to the fire is a weirdly timed snub from the top of her own party. Just this January, Donald Trump went on Truth Social and basically put a target on Collins’ back. Why? Because she voted for a War Powers Resolution to limit presidential authority in Venezuela. Trump literally said she and a few other Republicans "should never be elected to office again."
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So now, Collins is in this bizarre vice grip.
- From the Left: She’s getting hammered at every public appearance for being "too Trumpy" or for her past judicial votes.
- From the Right: The MAGA base is being told she’s a traitor for not giving the President a blank check on war.
When a rally against Susan Collins happens now, the people attending aren't just progressives. You're starting to see a splintering where even some conservative-leaning Mainers feel she's lost her way, though for entirely different reasons than the Searsport protesters.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" Backlash
One of the more recent specific triggers for the protests has been the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This was a massive Republican budget package that Democrats claim guts Medicaid and food assistance. Collins defended it as a necessary step for fiscal responsibility, but to the people standing in the rain in Bath or Searsport, it looked like a direct attack on Maine’s aging population.
Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country. When you talk about cutting Medicaid, you're talking about home care for seniors and keeping rural hospitals open. Protesters like those in Bath last August are hyper-focused on this. They see a direct line between her "yes" votes in D.C. and the closure of healthcare facilities in rural Maine.
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Misconceptions About the Protests
Some people think these rallies are just "paid agitators" or "bus-ins" from Massachusetts. Honestly, if you spend five minutes talking to the people there, you realize that's not the case. These are often grandmothers, veterans, and small business owners who are just... tired.
Another misconception is that the rallies don't work. While they might not change her vote the next day, they are changing the recruitment landscape. The intensity of the rally against Susan Collins movement is exactly what pushed Governor Janet Mills to consider entering the race. Mills initially hesitated, but the sheer volume of "grassroots" anger showed there was a path to victory that didn't exist in 2020.
Actionable Steps for Following the 2026 Maine Race
If you're trying to keep track of where this is going, don't just look at national polls. National polls are notoriously bad at capturing the "Maine Independent" vibe.
- Watch the Town Hall count: Keep an eye on groups like "Maine Momentum." They track how many days it’s been since Collins held a public town hall. The longer that number grows, the more "ambush" protests you’ll see at ribbon cuttings.
- Follow the Signature Hunt: Candidates like Graham Platner need 2,000 to 2,500 signatures by March 16th to get on the ballot. The speed at which they collect these is a better "enthusiasm" metric than any TV poll.
- Monitor the Trump-Collins Relationship: If Trump continues to post about her "never being elected again," it might depress Republican turnout in the 2026 primary, making her more vulnerable to a challenger from the right like Laurel Libby or Carmen Calabrese.
- Check the Local Papers: The Bangor Daily News and Portland Press Herald often capture the specific quotes from protesters that national outlets miss. These "hyper-local" grievances are what actually flip seats in Maine.
The 2026 election is still a ways off, but the ground is already shaking. Whether it's a small group in Bath or a massive arena in Portland, the rally against Susan Collins is no longer just a protest—it's a sustained campaign that’s making the "moderate" middle a very uncomfortable place to be.