With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, Democrats are facing pivotal battles in two key states: Maine and Wisconsin. Both contests could shape not just the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and state legislatures, but also the future direction of the Democratic Party itself. The stakes are high, the strategies are contentious, and the outcomes are anything but certain.
In Maine, the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the country. As The Atlantic reported on October 12, 2025, Democrats consider this race essential; with their narrow path to a Senate majority, losing Maine could all but doom their hopes of controlling the chamber in 2029. Collins, notably, is the last Republican senator representing a state that President Kamala Harris carried by seven points last year.
Yet, the Democratic Party’s approach in Maine has sparked internal debate. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), led by Chuck Schumer, has thrown its weight behind Governor Janet Mills, a two-term incumbent who won reelection in 2022 by a commanding 13-point margin. Mills, now 77, is expected to announce her Senate candidacy next week, after months of speculation and behind-the-scenes conversations with party leaders and senators, according to Punchbowl News and The Atlantic.
Despite Mills’ impressive resume and statewide popularity, her candidacy is not without controversy. Some Democrats argue that the party is repeating mistakes from 2024 by favoring establishment figures over grassroots outsiders. Graham Platner, a harbor master, oyster farmer, and military veteran, has captured the imagination of many with his populist message and viral town hall performances. Platner’s campaign has raised $4 million since its launch, including $1 million in the week prior to October 12, 2025. Yet, as The Atlantic highlighted, the DSCC has not even reached out to Platner, signaling a clear preference for the safer, more predictable Mills.
This top-down approach has raised eyebrows among party activists and analysts. "The establishment picking Mills over Platner illustrates one of my biggest concerns about their approach to politics in recent years," one commentator wrote in The Atlantic. "Democrats are incredibly risk-averse. We optimize for the candidate least likely to lose by a lot—preferring high-floor, low-ceiling candidates over low-floor, high-ceiling ones." The article points out that while Mills’ experience and moderation might have been assets in a different era, today’s political climate is marked by deep cynicism toward politicians and institutions. A New York Times/Siena poll before the 2024 election found that 92% of likely voters believed America’s political and economic system needed changes, with 51% demanding major change.
Compounding these challenges, the Democratic Party’s approval rating hit its lowest level in 35 years as of July 2025, according to a Wall Street Journal poll. Many Democrats themselves are dissatisfied with the party’s leadership; a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 62% of Democrats want new leaders. The debate over age and generational change has become especially pronounced, with concerns about nominating another septuagenarian for a six-year Senate term.
Meanwhile, the dangers of playing it safe are underscored by recent history. In 2020, Democrats ran an establishment candidate against Collins and lost by nearly nine points, despite the state voting for Biden by 11. The DSCC’s unwillingness to consider outsiders like Platner, critics argue, risks alienating voters who are hungry for change and authenticity—traits Platner seems to embody for his supporters.
But the debate over strategy is not limited to Maine. In Wisconsin, Democrats are mounting an ambitious campaign to flip the State Senate, which has been under Republican control for a decade. As reported by UPFRONT on October 12, 2025, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein is at the helm of this effort, targeting at least two Republican-held seats that have been redrawn under new legislative maps. The party believes the Wisconsin Senate is the most flippable chamber in the entire United States for the 2026 elections, a sentiment echoed by national donors who are flooding the campaign with support.
The field of Democratic candidates is expanding, with former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes strongly considering a gubernatorial bid and several others already in the race. Attorney General Josh Kaul, for his part, has announced he will seek a third term rather than run for governor, further clarifying the field.
Hesselbein, speaking to UPFRONT, emphasized the party’s focus on mobilizing core Democratic voters rather than courting Trump or swing voters. "That’s why we’re really focusing on those areas where Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Tony Evers won," she explained. The strategy is clear: energize the base, stick to a progressive policy agenda, and let the candidates’ records speak for themselves.
Policy debates are front and center in Wisconsin. Medical marijuana legislation remains a hot topic, with ongoing bipartisan discussions despite skepticism from Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Hesselbein revealed she’s in talks with Senator Jon Tester about the latest GOP bill, noting, "We worked together years ago on a medical marijuana bill, and he unfortunately went with his version this time. But I have some changes that I would need to make. So we’re having ongoing conversations." She expressed disappointment with Vos’s dismissal of the issue, arguing that the public deserves a hearing and a fair shake.
Tax fairness and economic growth are also shaping the Democratic campaign platform. Candidates have expressed a range of views, from calls to tax billionaires and corporations to a focus on growing the economy. Hesselbein summed up the party’s stance: "I do think we need to grow the economy, but I do believe everybody should pay their fair share in taxes." These issues are likely to be prominent as the campaign heats up over the next year.
Despite the optimism, the pressure to deliver is palpable. Hesselbein acknowledged the weight of expectations: "Of course, I think, you know, everyone looks to the leader to see what they can do. But I’m really happy I’ve been doing this a long time. And if I didn’t believe that we’d have the chance to flip this chamber, I would no longer be doing this."
As the Democratic primaries unfold in both Maine and Wisconsin, the party faces a fundamental question: Should it double down on experience and establishment candidates, or take a gamble on fresh faces with untested appeal? The answer may determine not only the outcome of these races, but the party’s trajectory for years to come. With the balance of power at stake and the political winds shifting, all eyes will be on how Democrats navigate the crossroads ahead.
