2014 United States Senate election in Maine
County resultsCollins: 60–70% 70–80%
The 2014 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins , who has served in the position since 1997, won reelection to a fourth term in office with 68% of the vote.[1] [2] The primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Write-in candidates
Erick Bennett, conservative activist and director of the Maine Equal Rights Center (unenrolled as a Republican, see Campaign section)[5] [6] [7]
Declined
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 .[10]
Furthermore, Erick Bennett was convicted in 2003 of assaulting his wife, which was upheld by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court , though he maintains his innocence.[11] Rick Bennett stated that Erick's views "do not represent the views of the Republican Party".[10]
Erick Bennett announced before the primary filing deadline on March 17 that he had left the Republican Party and would run as an independent.[5] 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 cannot legally run as such.[12] The Kennebec Journal has reported that Bennett is a write-in candidate for the Republican nomination.[7]
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.[13]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Susan Collins
Bruce Poliquin
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
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
January 18–20, 2013
430
± 4.7%
58%
31%
—
11%
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Declined
Results
Independents
To qualify as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, a candidate 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.[19]
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 requires him to have unenrolled as a Republican by March 1 to do so. Therefore, he cannot legally run as an independent.[5] [12]
Candidates
Declared
Erick Bennett, conservative activist and director of the Maine Equal Rights Center (unenrolled as a Republican, see Campaign section)[5]
Declined
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.[21]
Candidates
Endorsements
Susan Collins (R)
Politicians
Unions
International Association of Machinists Local S6 and S7[13]
Bath Marine Draftsman's Association[13]
Independent Guards Association[13]
Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 35[25]
Organizations
Shenna Bellows (D)
Politicians and other individuals
Mike Michaud . U.S. Representative (D-ME), candidate for Governor [29]
Chellie Pingree , U.S. Representative (D-ME)[29]
Tom Andrews , former U.S. Representative (D-ME)[29]
Barney Frank , former U.S. Representative (D-MA )[29]
Justin Alfond , President of the Maine Senate [30]
Donald Sussman , philanthropist and financier, husband of Rep. Pingree[30]
Tess Gerritsen , author[30]
Bob Monks , shareholder activists[30]
Stephen King , author [31]
Michael Douglas , actor[32]
Unions
Organizations
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Susan Collins (R)
Shenna Bellows (D)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
November 8–11, 2013
964
± 3.2%
59%
20%
—
22%
Rasmussen Reports
April 23–25, 2014
830
± 3%
60%
24%
6%
9%
University of New Hampshire
June 12–18, 2014
527
± 4.3%
72%
17%
—
10%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov
July 5–24, 2014
1,356
± 2.7%
63%
28%
2%
6%
Public Policy Polling*
August 16–18, 2014
679
± 3.8%
57%
33%
—
10%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov
August 18 – September 2, 2014
1,202
± 4%
58%
26%
3%
12%
Rasmussen Reports
September 3–4, 2014
750
± 4%
59%
31%
2%
7%
University of New Hampshire
September 18–25, 2014
482
± 4.4%
59%
29%
—
11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov
September 20 – October 1, 2014
1,531
± 3%
57%
33%
1%
9%
Pan Atlantic SMS
September 23–29, 2014
400
± 4.9%
68.1%
24.8%
—
7.3%
Bangor Daily News/Ipsos
October 6–12, 2014
540 LV
± 4.8%
56%
31%
5%[47]
7%
903 RV
± 3.7%
53%
31%
7%[48]
10%
University of New Hampshire
October 15–21, 2014
667
± 3.8%
65%
30%
—
4%
Pan Atlantic SMS
October 15–21, 2014
400
± 4.9%
66.6%
27%
—
6.5%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov
October 16–23, 2014
1,177
± 5%
54%
35%
0%
10%
Bangor Daily News/Ipsos
October 23–29, 2014
488
± 5.1%
64%
32%
2%
3%
Maine People's Resource Center
October 31 – November 2, 2014
906
± 3.25%
57.4%
37.3%
—
5.3%
* Internal poll for Shenna Bellows campaign
Hypothetical polling
With Collins
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Susan Collins (R)
Stephen King (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
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
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
January 18–20, 2013
1,268
± 2.8%
58%
33%
9%
Public Policy Polling
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
September 8–10, 2013
652
± 3.84%
59.5%
25.7%
14.8%
With Poliquin
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Bruce Poliquin (R)
Chellie Pingree (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
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
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
January 18–20, 2013
1,268
± 2.8%
39%
50%
11%
Results
See also
References
^ Camia, Catalina (March 20, 2013). "Moderate GOP Sen. Collins intends to run again; USA Today" . usatoday.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ "Sen. Susan Collins has become a key player in Congress | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME" . Kjonline.com. August 29, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012 .
^ Abby Livingston; Joshua Miller; Shira Toeplitz; Kyle Trygstad (November 28, 2012). "Inside the 2014 Senate Races" . Roll Call . Retrieved December 3, 2012 .
^ "Inside the 2014 Senate Races" . Roll Call . Associated Press. November 28, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012 .
^ a b c d Mario Moretto (December 2, 2013). "Erick Bennett will challenge Collins from the right in Republican primary" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved March 6, 2014 .
^ David Carkhuff (March 12, 2014). "Maine Senate Passes Mainecare Expansion" . Portland Daily Sun . Retrieved March 17, 2014 .
^ a b "King on Collins: 'We've got a model senator here' " . Kennebec Journal . May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014 .
^ a b "Is Collins vulnerable to a conservative primary? | Agree to Disagree" . Agreetodisagree.bangordailynews.com. January 28, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2014 .
^ Ethan Strimling (August 25, 2013). "Update: Poliquin enters race for Congress" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved August 26, 2013 .
^ a b Mario Moretto (December 16, 2013). "State GOP rebukes Collins' primary challenger for Facebook comments about Michaud, Mandela" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved December 16, 2013 .
^ "Sen. Susan Collins Challenger Says His Wife-Beating Conviction Proves 'Guts And Integrity' " . Huffingtonpost.com. January 3, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014 .
^ a b Rebekah Metzler (March 17, 2014). "Maine's Susan Collins Avoids Tea Party Challenge" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved March 17, 2014 .
^ a b c d "Collins endorsed by BIW unions" . Susan Collins for US Senate. April 3, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2014 .
^ a b "Tabulations for Elections held in 2014" . Maine Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014 .
^ "Shenna Bellows to launch U.S. Senate campaign on Oct. 23" . Kennebec Journal . October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013 .
^ "Expanding Medicaid would be 'sinful,' LePage says" . Kennebec Journal. March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014 .
^ "Sen. Emily Cain launches bid for Michaud's congressional seat" . Maine Sun Journal. June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013 .
^ "Mike Michaud Exploring Bid for Governor in Maine #MEGOV #ME02" . Roll Call . June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013 .
^ "Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Maine" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved March 17, 2014 .
^ "Independent opts out of U.S. Senate race" . Portland Press Herald . January 21, 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014 .
^ Ostermeier, Eric (September 17, 2013). "West Virginia 2014 US Senate Race to Feature Rare Matchup" . Smart Politics .
^ Sullivan, Sean (May 16, 2014). "King endorsement" . The Washington Post . Retrieved May 16, 2014 .
^ Burgess Everett; Manu Raju (April 15, 2014). "GOP Senate may run purple" . Politico . Retrieved May 4, 2014 .
^ Michael Shepherd (April 26, 2014). "Rand Paul Q&A: Republicans must be more united, inclusive" . Kennebec Journal . Retrieved April 26, 2014 .
^ "Washington Post predicts Poliquin victory; Collins picks up another labor union endorsement" . Bangor Daily News. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014 .
^ "Gabrielle Giffords' gun-control group to back Susan Collins" . Kennebec Journal. June 3, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014 .
^ "Susan Collins should return to the Senate: Maine needs experience" . Bangor Daily News. October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014 .
^ "Here's why HRC's endorsement of Collins won't hurt Bellows much" . Bangor Daily News. June 25, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Endorsements for Shenna Bellows" . Sheena Bellows for US Senate. April 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014 .
^ a b c d "Shenna Bellows embraces D.C. cash" . Bangor Daily News . February 20, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014 .
^ "For this lifetime Mainer, Bellows is the clear choice" . Bangor Daily News . May 30, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014 .
^ "ME, OR & IA-Sen: Michael Douglas Fundraises For Bellows (D), Merkley (D) & Braley (D)" . Daily-Kos. June 9, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014 .
^ "AFL-CIO endorses Cain, Bellows; Mike Tipping's new book on his favorite governor" . Bangor Daily News. June 25, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Labor Stands Strong with Bellows as Collins Trails Far Behind in Union Endorsements" . Shenna Bellows for US Senate. April 24, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2014 .
^ "Democracy For America endorses Bellows for U.S. Senate" . Shenna Bellows for Senate . March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014 .
^ Metzler, Rebekah (April 16, 2014). "Shenna Bellows makes the (EMILY's) list | Downeast to DC" . Downeasttodc.bangordailynews.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014 .
^ http://freethoughtequality.org/candidate-endorsements/
^ a b "Bellows Endorsed By Major Marijuana Advocacy Groups" . Shenna Bellows for Senate . February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014 .
^ "Bellows receives endorsement from national progressive group, compared to Elizabeth Warren" . Bangor Daily News . February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014 .
^ "SNAP, Nation's Largest Student-Run Political Action Committee Endorses Shenna Bellows" . Shenna Bellows for Senate . May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014 .
^ "OUR OPINION: Who do we endorse? Nobody — and here's why" . MaineToday Media/Kennebec Journal. August 31, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014 .
^ "Sportsman's Alliance of Maine won't endorse candidates in gubernatorial, federal races" . Bangor Daily News. August 21, 2014. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014 .
^ "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ Erick Bennett 4%, Other 1%
^ Erick Bennett 5%, other 2%
^ "Tabulations for Elections held in 2014" . Maine Secretary of State. November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2018 .
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