October 6, 2026
Midterm Elections in Maine, October 2026
Jackson and Collins Competitive in Senate Contest in Maine... Pingree Leads Charles by Double Digits in Race for Governor
In the U.S. Senate contest in Maine, four points separate Democrat Troy Jackson and Republican incumbent Susan Collins among registered voters statewide. Maine Democrats have a wider nine-point advantage in the generic congressional ballot question, and Democrat Hannah Pingree leads Republican Bobby Charles by 12 points in the state’s gubernatorial contest. An anti-Trump sentiment and economic unease color the political landscape in Maine.
- Jackson (51%) is +4 points against Collins (47%) among registered voters in the U.S. Senate race in Maine. Independents break for Jackson (52% to 45% for Collins). Among the Maine electorate, 57% think Collins will actually win the Senate contest against Jackson (41%).
- On the generic congressional ballot question, the Democrat on the ballot (54%) has a nine-point advantage against the Republican (45%) among registered voters. Among independents, the Democrats are +14 points. A majority of Maine voters (56%) are also more likely to say the Democratic candidate running for Congress will win the election, not the Republican (43%).
- A plurality of Maine voters (44%) report their congressional ballot is mainly a vote against President Donald Trump. 16% say it is mainly a vote for the president, and 39% say President Trump is not much of a factor to their vote for Congress. Among those who say the president is not much of a factor in their vote, more than six in ten approve of his job performance.
- Pingree (52%) leads Charles (40%) and Bennett (6%) among registered voters in Maine's gubernatorial contest. Among independents, Pingree (51%) outpaces Charles (34%) and Bennett (12%). Maine voters are nearly twice as likely to say Pingree (63%) will be victorious against Charles (34%).
- President Trump's job approval rating among Maine registered voters is upside-down (40% approve to 59% disapprove).
- A plurality of registered voters statewide (44%) say their personal finances have gotten worse over the last year. 14% report they have gotten better, and 41% say they have stayed about the same. Democrats (56%) are more likely than Republicans (23%) to say their finances have deteriorated.
For additional data pertaining to the Midterm Elections in Maine, click on the link to the full table packet in the Survey Data button below.
Methodology
This Marist Poll Maine survey of 1,505 Maine registered voters was conducted October 1st through October 4th, 2026 by the Marist Poll. Registered voters 18 years of age and older residing in Maine were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for registered voters (n=1,505) are statistically significant within ±3.8 percentage points.