Collins Decision Deals Big Blow to GOP Chances of Holding ME-GOV
RGA Loses Another Top Recruit in Trump Era; Maine GOP Primary Will Be a Right-Wing Battle
Maine Republicans and the Republican Governors Association were dealt a major blow this morning when top-recruit Sen. Susan Collins announced she would not be running for governor.
With Collins out of the race, Republicans are left with a battle among right-wingers with little name ID. Those candidates will have to contend with poor approval ratings for both Governor Paul LePage and President Donald Trump in Maine.
Collins is yet another major GOP gubernatorial recruit who has chosen not to run in 2018 amidst sagging approval ratings for President Trump. Governor Tim Pawlenty declined to run last week in Minnesota; multiple Pennsylvania Congressmen refused to run; San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer chose not to run in California; and the top Republican in the state Senate in Connecticut chose not to run.
“Maine is one of the top pickup opportunities for Democrats in 2018,” said DGA Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson. “We’re proud of our field of strong candidates with a record of standing up for everyday Mainers. Meanwhile, Republicans are left with a field of LePage wannabes who are out-of-touch with Maine.
“Senator Susan Collins’ decision not to run for Governor substantially narrowed Maine Republicans’ path to victory in 2018. It’s no wonder that Senator Collins and other top Republican recruits want to avoid running in 2018 with President Trump atop the party. And in Maine, Republicans are also saddled with the deeply unpopular Paul LePage record. The Democratic field of candidates stands ready to turn the tide from the disastrous LePage Administration and deliver real results for Mainers.”