Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins has announced her reelection bid, entering a closely watched race that Democrats have targeted in their effort to retake the Senate majority in Congress in this year’s midterm elections.

Sara Gideon, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a "Supper with Sara" campaign event, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Dayton, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)CAMDEN, Maine – The last time Democrat Sara Gideon ran for office, she trounced her Republican challenger and spent a measly $4,299.99 doing it. Bean, to raise her family with her husband, Benjamin Rogoff Gideon, a Maine native who took her last name. Democratic support quickly coalesced around Gideon as Collins’ vote for Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh ensured her race would draw national attention and cash. But Barrett’s approval is all but assured even without Collins' vote.

PORTLAND, Maine – Democrat Sara Gideon sought to link Republican Sen. Susan Collins, of Maine, with President Donald Trump during their first debate Friday night, and she demanded several times that Collins say whether she’ll vote for him — a dare Collins wouldn't take. “Let me say this: I don’t think the people of Maine need my advice on whom to support for president,” Collins said. Gideon already has raised more than $24 million, compared with more than $16 million for Collins, according to the latest campaign finance reports. That doesn’t include $3.8 million for Gideon that was crowdsourced by critics of Collins during the debate over Kavanaugh. Gideon had suggested five debates, while Collins proposed debating in each of Maine’s 16 counties.

House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, greets news media near a polling station, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Portland, Maine. Gideon is one of three Democrat candidates seeking the party's nomination for U.S. Senate in the July 14 primary. The fund was created for Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins eventual challenger during the Senate fight over Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court confirmation in 2018. Creators of the fund said it would be turned over if Collins voted to confirm Presidential Donald Trump's controversial appointee. With the additional funding, Gideons fundraising haul will approach $27 million, compared to Collins $16.2 million.

House speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, speaks to news media near a polling station, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Portland, Maine. Gideon is one of three Democrat candidates seeking the party's nomination for U.S. Senate in the July 14 primary. Gideon, whos raised a staggering $23 million in her Senate bid, turned back challenges by activist Betsy Sweet and attorney Bre Kidman. Gideon raised $9 million in the last quarter, extending her fundraising advantage over Collins. Democrats need to gain at least three seats to capture Senate control.