2014 United States Senate election in Maine
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The 2014 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who had served in the position since 1997, won election to a fourth term in office with 68% of the vote, a sizable landslide victory.[1][2] The primary elections were held on June 10, 2014. This was the only Republican-held Senate seat up for election in a state that Barack Obama won in the 2012 presidential election.
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November 4, 2014
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Collins: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Bellows: 50–60% 60–70% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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As of 2026, this was the last time a Republican won the counties of Cumberland and Knox in a statewide election, and the last time any party carried every county in Maine.[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Susan Collins, incumbent U.S. senator[4][5]
Write-in candidates
Declined
- Scott D'Amboise, former Lisbon Falls selectman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[9]
- Bruce Poliquin, former state treasurer, candidate for governor in 2010 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (ran for ME-02)[10]
- Mark Willis, former Maine Republican national committeeman[9]
Campaign
Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett was critical of Erick Bennett's campaign, stating that he did not believe Erick would get the necessary signatures to get on the ballot. After making it clear the two men are not related, Rick felt that this would be due to Erick's views as expressed on his Facebook page. These included referring to U.S. Representative Mike Michaud as a "closet homo" and criticism of Nelson Mandela, comparing him to Stalin and Karl Marx.[11] Furthermore, Erick Bennett was convicted in 2003 of assaulting his wife, which was upheld by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, though he maintained his innocence.[12] Rick Bennett stated that Erick's views "[did] not represent the views of the Republican Party".[11]
Erick Bennett announced before the primary filing deadline on March 17 that he had left the Republican Party and would run as an independent.[6] Maine law, however, requires that an independent candidate must have not been in a political party by March 1 of the election year in order to run as an independent, meaning Bennett could not legally run as such.[13] The Kennebec Journal reported that Bennett was a write-in candidate for the Republican nomination.[8]
On April 3, 2014, Collins' campaign announced the joint endorsement of Bath Iron Works' labor unions, which the campaign claimed was the first time the unions issued a joint endorsement as well as the first time they endorsed a Republican candidate for federal office.[14]
Collins ultimately defeated Bellows in a landslide, carrying all 16 counties, both congressional districts, and nearly every municipality in the state. Bellows only won the heavily Democratic cities of Portland, Bar Harbor, and Hallowell, as well as a handful of small communities in extremely rural northern and western Maine with only a few dozen votes between them, such as Grand Falls Township and Elliottsville.[15]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins |
Bruce Poliquin |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 321 | ± 5.5% | 64% | 24% | 12% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins |
Charlie Summers |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 430 | ± 4.7% | 58% | 31% | — | 11% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins |
Someone more conservative |
Other |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 430 | ± 4.7% | 49% | 46% | — | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 321 | ± 5.5% | 47% | 48% | — | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 8–11, 2013 | 331 | ± 5.4% | 48% | 44% | — | 7% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Susan Collins (incumbent) | 59,767 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 59,767 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Shenna Bellows, former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine[20][21]
Declined
- Emily Cain, state senator (ran for ME-02)[22]
- Mike Michaud, U.S. representative (ran for governor)[23]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shenna Bellows | 65,085 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 65,085 | 100.00% | ||
Independents
To qualify as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, a person needs to submit at least 4,000 valid signatures to the secretary of state by June 1. Any independent candidate must not have been enrolled in a political party after March 1 of the year the election occurs.[24]
Former Republican candidate Erick Bennett announced just before the March 17 primary filing deadline that he had left the Republican Party and would run as an independent, but Maine law required him to have unenrolled as a Republican by March 1 to do so. Therefore, he could not legally run as an independent.[6][13]
Candidates
Declared
- Erick Bennett, conservative activist and director of the Maine Equal Rights Center (unenrolled as a Republican, see Campaign section)[6]
Declined
- Mike Turcotte, adjunct professor at Eastern Maine Community College[25]
General election
Background
Heading into the 2014 cycle, only 12 U.S. Senate elections had involved two major party female nominees in U.S. history.[26]
Candidates
- Shenna Bellows (Democratic), former executive director of the Maine ACLU
- Susan Collins (Republican), incumbent U.S. senator
Endorsements
Politicians
- Angus King, U.S. senator (I-ME)[27]
- Joe Manchin, U.S. senator (D-WV)[28]
- Rand Paul, U.S. senator (R-KY)[29]
Unions
- Bath Marine Draftsman's Association[14]
- Independent Guards Association[14]
- International Association of Machinists Local S6 and S7[14]
- Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 35[30]
Organizations
Newspapers
Politicians and other individuals
- Justin Alfond, president of the Maine Senate[34]
- Tom Andrews, former U.S. representative (D-ME)[35]
- Michael Douglas, actor[36]
- Barney Frank, former U.S. representative (D-MA)[35]
- Tess Gerritsen, author[34]
- Stephen King, author[37]
- Mike Michaud. U.S. representative (D-ME), candidate for governor[35]
- Bob Monks, shareholder activist[34]
- Chellie Pingree, U.S. representative (D-ME)[35]
- Donald Sussman, philanthropist and financier, husband of Rep. Pingree[34]
Unions
- American Postal Worker Union[38]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers[38]
- Iron Workers Local 7[38]
- LIUNA Local 327[38]
- Maine AFL-CIO[39]
- Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council[38]
- Maine State Nurses Association[38]
- Teamsters Local 340[38]
- United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 716[38]
- United Steelworkers Local 449[38]
Organizations
- Alliance for Retired Americans[35]
- Council for a Livable World[35]
- Democracy for America[40]
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee[35]
- EMILY's list[41]
- Feminist Majority[35]
- Freethought Equality Fund PAC[42]
- Maine People's Alliance[35]
- Marijuana Policy Project[43]
- MoveOn[35]
- National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws[43]
- National Organization for Women[35]
- People for the American Way[35]
- Progressive Change Campaign Committee[44]
- Students for a New American Politics[45]
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[48] | Solid R | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[49] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[50] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics[51] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Shenna Bellows (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 8–11, 2013 | 964 | ± 3.2% | 59% | 20% | — | 22% |
| Rasmussen Reports[52] | April 23–25, 2014 | 830 | ± 3% | 60% | 24% | 6% | 9% |
| University of New Hampshire[53] | June 12–18, 2014 | 527 | ± 4.3% | 72% | 17% | — | 10% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[54] | July 5–24, 2014 | 1,356 | ± 2.7% | 63% | 28% | 2% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling*[55] | August 16–18, 2014 | 679 | ± 3.8% | 57% | 33% | — | 10% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[56] | August 18 – September 2, 2014 | 1,202 | ± 4% | 58% | 26% | 3% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports[57] | September 3–4, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 59% | 31% | 2% | 7% |
| University of New Hampshire[58] | September 18–25, 2014 | 482 | ± 4.4% | 59% | 29% | — | 11% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[59] | September 20 – October 1, 2014 | 1,531 | ± 3% | 57% | 33% | 1% | 9% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS[60] | September 23–29, 2014 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 68% | 25% | — | 7% |
| Bangor Daily News/Ipsos[61] | October 6–12, 2014 | 540 LV | ± 4.8% | 56% | 31% | 5%[62] | 7% |
| 903 RV | ± 3.7% | 53% | 31% | 7%[63] | 10% | ||
| University of New Hampshire[64] | October 15–21, 2014 | 667 | ± 3.8% | 65% | 30% | — | 4% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS[65] | October 15–21, 2014 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 67% | 27% | — | 7% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[59] | October 16–23, 2014 | 1,177 | ± 5% | 54% | 35% | 0% | 10% |
| Bangor Daily News/Ipsos[66] | October 23–29, 2014 | 488 | ± 5.1% | 64% | 32% | 2% | 3% |
| Maine People's Resource Center[67] | October 31 – November 2, 2014 | 906 | ± 3.25% | 57% | 37% | — | 5% |
- * Internal poll for Shenna Bellows campaign
With Collins
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Eliot Cutler (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 953 | ± 3.2% | 53% | 33% | 14% |
| Maine People's Resource Center[68] | September 8–10, 2013 | 652 | ± 3.84% | 58% | 28% | 14% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Stephen King (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 953 | ± 3.2% | 54% | 31% | 15% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Mike Michaud (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 1,268 | ± 2.8% | 54% | 36% | 10% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Chellie Pingree (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 1,268 | ± 2.8% | 58% | 33% | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 953 | ± 3.2% | 57% | 34% | 9% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Susan Collins (R) |
Generic Democrat |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine People's Resource Center[68] | September 8–10, 2013 | 652 | ± 3.84% | 60% | 26% | 15% |
With Poliquin
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bruce Poliquin (R) |
Chellie Pingree (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[16] | August 23–25, 2013 | 953 | ± 3.2% | 33% | 47% | 20% |
With Summers
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Summers (R) |
Mike Michaud (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 1,268 | ± 2.8% | 32% | 57% | 12% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Summers (R) |
Chellie Pingree (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | January 18–20, 2013 | 1,268 | ± 2.8% | 39% | 50% | 11% |
Results
The election was not close, with Collins winning all 16 of Maine's counties, and the election overall by a margin of 223,251 votes.[69]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Susan Collins (incumbent) | 413,495 | 68.46% | +7.13% | |
| Democratic | Shenna Bellows | 190,244 | 31.50% | −7.08% | |
| Write-in | 269 | 0.04% | -0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 604,008 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Results by county
| County | Susan Collins Republican |
Shenna Bellows Democratic |
Various candidates Other parties |
Margin | Total votes cast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Androscoggin | 32,649 | 72.0% | 12,680 | 28.0% | 15 | 0.01% | 19,969 | 44.0% | 45,344 |
| Aroostook | 22,182 | 78.1% | 6,217 | 21.9% | 20 | 0.1% | 15,965 | 56.2% | 28,419 |
| Cumberland | 86,495 | 62.0% | 53,036 | 38.0% | 35 | 0.01% | 33,459 | 24.0% | 139,566 |
| Franklin | 9,847 | 70.0% | 4,215 | 29.9% | 15 | 0.1% | 5,632 | 40.1% | 14,077 |
| Hancock | 16,411 | 63.0% | 9,618 | 36.9% | 8 | 0.1% | 6,793 | 26.1% | 26,037 |
| Kennebec | 38,752 | 69.1% | 17,280 | 30.8% | 13 | 0.1% | 21,472 | 38.3% | 56,045 |
| Knox | 11,622 | 62.3% | 7,006 | 37.5% | 37 | 0.2% | 4,616 | 24.8% | 18,665 |
| Lincoln | 12,321 | 68.5% | 5,646 | 31.4% | 16 | 0.1% | 6,675 | 37.1% | 17,983 |
| Oxford | 18,545 | 71.1% | 7,511 | 28.8% | 12 | 0.1% | 11,034 | 42.3% | 26,068 |
| Penobscot | 46,617 | 73.7% | 16,623 | 26.3% | 28 | 0.01% | 29,994 | 46.4% | 63,268 |
| Piscataquis | 6,174 | 76.8% | 1,862 | 23.2% | 6 | 0.01% | 4,312 | 53.6% | 8,042 |
| Sagadahoc | 12,715 | 69.1% | 5,666 | 30.8% | 13 | 0.1% | 7,049 | 38.3% | 18,394 |
| Somerset | 15,820 | 72.2% | 6,068 | 27.7% | 11 | 0.1% | 9,752 | 44.5% | 21,899 |
| Waldo | 11,816 | 64.9% | 6,379 | 35.0% | 7 | 0.1% | 5,437 | 29.9% | 18,202 |
| Washington | 9,801 | 71.1% | 3,978 | 28.9% | 7 | 0.01% | 5,823 | 42.2% | 13,786 |
| York | 61,313 | 70.2% | 26,045 | 29.8% | 24 | 0.01% | 35,268 | 50.4% | 87,382 |
| Totals | 413,505 | 68.5% | 190,254 | 31.5% | 269 | 0.01% | 223,251 | 37.0% | 604,028 |
By congressional district
Collins won both of the congressional districts in the state, including one which also elected a Democrat.[71]
| District | Collins | Bellows | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 66% | 34% | Chellie Pingree |
| 2nd | 72% | 28% | Mike Michaud (113th Congress) |
| Bruce Poliquin (114th Congress) |
