Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is considering running for governor in 2018, she told a radio show on Tuesday. Collins, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1994, has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997. Current Maine Gov. Paul LePage is term-limited and cannot run again.
Collins said that the decision to run would be a hard one, and that she does not yet have concrete plans for 2018. She said that her main concern was serving the people of Maine.
From the Portland Press Herald:
“Let me say that I am looking at where I can do the most good for the people of Maine,” said Collins, who has served in the Senate for 20 years. “In the Senate I now have significant seniority and that allows me to do a lot.
“Coming to be governor, if I were fortunate enough to be elected … you can work on issues I care a lot of about like economic development, jobs, education. And I would try to heal the state and bring people back together, which I think is important as well.
“So I’m trying to figure out where I can do the most good. I’m being totally honest with you – I truly don’t know, I really don’t, it’s a hard decision.”
Collins has made a name for herself as a very moderate Republican, yet remains quite popular among Mainers. She won reelection by 37 points in 2014.
If Collins were elected governor, she'd be Maine's first female governor and Maine's first female statewide elected official.
