Elizabeth Warren

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Read all of our coverage of Maine's 2026 election or stay up to date with the latest developments through the Maine Political Report in your inbox or text messages from politics editor Kirby Wilson.

PORTLAND — With just over two weeks until the midterm elections, about 400 people gathered in Deering Oaks on Saturday to rally around voting Democrats into office in Maine and ousting five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins from the U.S. Senate.

Organized by Indivisible Greater Portland, the event coincided with the fourth national “No Kings” day. Previous “No Kings” protests drew thousands of Mainers who condemned Trump administration actions they said reflect a monarchy rather than a democracy. This year, the same protesters are focused on encouraging people to vote early in the midterm elections, ensuring that democracy prevails, in their view.

“I feel there’s a very significant undercurrent of bitterness and feeling that our government is betraying us,” said Chris Beasley, 86, of Cape Elizabeth. He held a ribbon-adorned sign on a long wooden stick that said “Vote.” “This brings attention to our choice of representatives that reflect the values of democratic society.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree, U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., were three of several speakers at the event. The trio criticized President Donald Trump and discussed issues such as healthcare, the war in Iran, rising heating oil costs, immigration and abortion. They blamed Collins for affordability challenges in Maine and emphasized the importance of voting.

“Democracy is on the line here in Maine and across the country,” Pingree said. “Don’t leave it to chance.”

The race between Jackson and Collins is seen as particularly consequential — Democrats view it as one of their best shots at gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate. The competitors faced off in their fourth and final debate Thursday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Sentiments against Collins and Trump at the rally were strong, with people holding signs that said “Retire Susan,” “Dump King Corruption” and “Susan Collins is complicit.” The senator has tried to distance herself from the president as his approval ratings wane, while Jackson’s campaign has pushed to present the two as a package.

Ben Bernard, 55, of Cliff Island, compared Collins to a teacher who helps a bullied child get some of their lunch money back, but won’t stand up to the bully. He was referring to Collins’ negotiations to remove some Maine items from Canada’s tariff list, a result of the trade war started by Trump.

“Collins is enabling Trump every day,” Bernard said.

Some came to the protest with specific policies in mind. Leah Campbell, 77, of Portland, held a sign that said “What happened to affordable healthcare for all?”

“I and people I know are impacted by healthcare cuts that have already been done,” Campbell said. “I have Medicare. I want to make sure that’s not cut. I have Social Security. I want to make sure that’s not cut. These are programs I have paid into all my life.”

Holly Parker, 52, of Cape Elizabeth, and Nancy Timberlake, 78, of Portland, said they already voted and came to the rally to surround themselves with positive energy after feeling drained by the most important issues in the elections.

“I had to buy heating oil this week, and it was excruciating,” Parker said. “I feel bad for a lot of people who are in a worse position than I am in terms of heating their homes and putting gas in their car.”

Prices of heating oil and gas have risen sharply since the start of the war in Iran.

Parker said she thinks the rally would be worth it if it persuades one more person to vote.

The event presented opportunities for Mainers to sign up to knock on doors and make calls to encourage their neighbors to vote. A band called “Singing Resistance” sang songs in between speakers who discussed voting and defeating Collins.

“A Senate seat does not belong to a person who’s held it for 30 years,” Jackson said. “It belongs to the people of Maine … I owe the people of Maine everything.”

Madeleine is a community reporter for Gorham, Buxton and Standish. She started her journalism career in Vermont, where she reported for Seven Days and served as the editor-in-chief of Middlebury College's... More by Madeleine Kaptein

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