Susan Collins has survived Maine elections for nearly three decades by selling a rare political product: middle-of-the-road Republicanism. She touts herself as a bipartisan brand, with a moderate’s affect. She’s also the last GOP senator standing in New England.
Collins’ home state has voted for Democrats in every presidential election since 1992, and recent polling showed a tight race with Democratic opponent Graham Platner. The race is now in flux as Platner faces calls from his party to drop out after an accusation of sexual assault reported by POLITICO, which he denies. Platner has said he is taking time to consider the “best path forward,” and has until July 13 to withdraw his candidacy, in which case Democrats must name a replacement by July 27.
Regardless of who Democrats put up as their nominee, Collins is not showing up to the fight empty-pocketed. According to federal campaign filings for the 2025-2026 election cycle, updated through June 7, at least 111 billionaires and their spouses from across the country gave just shy of $10 million to help her keep the seat.
These donations include direct campaign contributions–which are capped at $7,000 per cycle–as well as contributions to other PACs supporting her bid. Among these, Pine Tree Results, the main pro-Collins super PAC, has raised over $16 million and has already spent nearly $4 million opposing Platner.
Platner’s candidacy has drawn support from five billionaires, none of whom contributed more than a few thousand to the embattled Democratic upstart. With more than four months until polls open, much more billionaire cash is likely to enter the race.
Here are Collins’ billionaire backers, ranked by amount donated to pro-Collins groups:
Donations to Collins Groups: $2,500,000
Net Worth: $49.8B
Source of Wealth: Hedge funds
Griffin’s fortune stems from his role as founder and CEO of hedge fund giant Citadel, in addition to his stake in Citadel Securities, the firm he founded that handles roughly one in four U.S. stock trades. Griffin has a long history of writing big checks to Republican causes, including over $27 million to the GOP-aligned Senate Leadership Fund super PAC during the 2024 cycle. Though Griffin voted for Donald Trump in 2024, he has since criticized the president’s tariff policy. Earlier this year, Griffin was pulled into a national political fight after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called him out in a video promoting a new tax on luxury second homes, prompting rebuke from Citadel and Griffin. His gift to Collins was through her main super PAC, Pine Tree Results.
Donations to Collins Groups: $2,024,000
Net Worth: $39.3B
Source of Wealth: Blackstone
The founder and CEO of private equity behemoth Blackstone, which manages over $1 trillion in assets, Schwarzman has a history of backing Republicans and donated $5 million to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. hybrid PAC in 2025. Schwarzman was also one of six billionaires who accompanied Trump on his trip to China in May. He gave $2 million to the Collins-aligned Pine Tree Results, as well as several thousand more to various other PACs associated with the candidate.
Donations to Collins Groups: $1,019,000
Net Worth: $6.1B
Source of Wealth: New Balance
Davis has a 95% share in shoe and athletic apparel company New Balance. While he has a history of donating to Republican causes, the Massachusetts-based billionaire’s $1 million donation to Pine Tree Results in 2025 ranks among his three largest national political contributions on record.
Donations to Collins Groups: $1,007,000
Net Worth: $6.7B
Source of Wealth: Hedge funds
Singer, the founder of hedge fund firm Elliott Management, is a major Republican donor who gave $5 million to Trump’s main super PAC in 2024. Singer’s foundation, to which he’s given around $300 million, supports Jewish and pro-Israel causes, including Hillel and BBYO. He is also an advocate for LGBT causes within the Republican party.
Donations to Collins Groups: $524,000
Net Worth: $13.1B
Source of Wealth: Food distribution
Donations to Collins Groups: $508,500
Net Worth: $13.1B
Source of Wealth: Food distribution
Brothers Jude and Chris Reyes co-chair the food and beverage distribution company Reyes Holdings. The two, both based in Florida, have made sizable contributions to Republican groups across the U.S., totaling nearly $11 million just this past year, including their combined $1 million to Pine Tree Results.
Donations to Collins Groups: $507,000
Net Worth: $11.2B
Source of Wealth: Cable television
“Cable cowboy” Malone was responsible for building up pioneering cable giant TCI before becoming its CEO in 1973. On an episode of the PBS program “Firing Line” last September, Malone lamented what he saw as a lack of a middle in American politics, and said he supports “the hell out of Susan Collins,” because she’s a “centrist Republican surviving in the Republican Party by the skin of her teeth.”
Donations to Collins Groups: $501,200
Net Worth: $1.0B
Source of Wealth: Hedge funds
Bacon was a macro-trading heavyweight who cashed in on the 1987 crash before starting his Moore Capital hedge fund in 1989. In addition to his track record of GOP-aligned political contributions, he is a supporter of environmental conservation causes through his Moore Charitable Foundation.
Donations to Collins Groups: $107,000
Net Worth: $3.0B
Source of Wealth: Liquefied natural gas
Smith owns a controlling stake in natural gas company Freeport LNG, which benefitted from the shale boom. He has made several large-dollar contributions to Republican-aligned PACs.
Donations to Collins Groups: $100,000
Net Worth: $11.1B
Source of Wealth: Software
Palantir CEO Karp’s political donations have become more idiosyncratic in recent years. Historically he has given to Democratic candidates, and described himself as a leftist, but his posture has shifted rightward. He made a $1 million donation to the president’s main super PAC in late 2024, and has contributed to candidates from both parties.
Bruce Karsh | Net Worth: $2.6B | Donations to Collins Groups: $67,000
Martha Karsh | Spouse of Bruce Karsh | Donations to Collins Groups: $67,000
Stanley Druckenmiller | Net Worth: $7.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $67,000
Neal Blue | Net Worth: $5.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $62,000
David Steward | Net Worth: $12.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $57,000
Marc Rowan | Net Worth: $7.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $57,000
Patrick Ryan | Net Worth: $7.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $34,000
Shirley Ryan | Spouse of Patrick Ryan | Donations to Collins Groups: $34,000
Daniel Loeb | Net Worth: $3.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $28,500
Christine Schwarzman | Spouse of Stephen Schwarzman | Donations to Collins Groups: $24,000
Lori Reyes | Spouse of Jude Reyes | Donations to Collins Groups: $24,000
Eric Smidt | Net Worth: $17.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $20,000
Thomas Tull | Net Worth: $5.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $18,100
David Blitzer | Net Worth: $4.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Frank Fertitta III | Net Worth: $3.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Jill Fertitta | Spouse of Frank Fertitta III | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Lorenzo Fertitta | Net Worth: $3.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
H. Ross Perot Jr. | Net Worth: $6.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Steven Klinsky | Net Worth: $4.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Teresa Fertitta | Spouse of Lorenzo Fertitta| Donations to Collins Groups: $14,000
Lawrence Golub | Net Worth: $3.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $13,000
Charles Schwab | Net Worth: $13.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
George Roberts | Net Worth: $12.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Henry Kravis | Net Worth: $11.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Jan Koum | Net Worth: $16.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
John Catsimatidis | Net Worth: $4.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Joseph Bae | Net Worth: $1.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Marc Andreessen | Net Worth: $1.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Melinda Gates | Net Worth: $30.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Scott Nuttall | Net Worth: $2.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Shyam Sankar | Net Worth: $1.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $12,000
Ken Fisher | Net Worth: $13.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $10,297
Jed McCaleb | Net Worth: $3.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $10,000
Laura Arnold | Spouse of John Arnold | Donations to Collins Groups: $10,000
Bruce Toll | Net Worth: $2.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $9,000
Anne Reyes | Spouse of Chris Reyes | Donations to Collins Groups: $8,500
Hendrik Meijer | Net Worth: $7.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $8,500
Andrea Wynn | Spouse of Steve Wynn | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Andrew Beal | Net Worth: $12.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Barbara Banke | Net Worth: $2.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Belinda Vandersloot | Spouse of Frank Vandersloot | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Bill Haslam | Net Worth: $6.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Bruce Kovner | Net Worth: $9.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Clifford Asness | Net Worth: $6.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Cristen Haslam | Spouse of Bill Haslam | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Daniel Lubetzky | Net Worth: $2.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Darwin Deason (deceased) | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
David MacNeil | Net Worth: $4.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Debra Black | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Donald Friese | Net Worth: $1.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Elaine Langone | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Elizabeth Uihlein | Net Worth: $7.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Frank Vandersloot | Net Worth: $3.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
George Kaiser | Net Worth: $16.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Hartley Rogers | Net Worth: $1.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Iris Smith | Spouse of Michael Smith | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
James Haslam III | Net Worth: $10.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
James Kennedy | Net Worth: $9.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
James Litinsky | Net Worth: $1.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Joseph Edelman | Net Worth: $2.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Ken Langone | Net Worth: $10.6B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Laurel Asness | Spouse of Cliff Asness | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Leslie Malone | Spouse of John Malone | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Marc Lipschultz | Net Worth: $1.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Philip Anschutz | Net Worth: $19.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Ronald Lauder | Net Worth: $4.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Steve Wynn | Net Worth: $3.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Susan Haslam | Spouse of Jimmy Haslam | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Suzanne Kovner | Spouse of Bruce Kovner | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Tani Austin | Spouse of Bill Austin | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Thelma Steward | Spouse of David Steward | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
William Ackman | Net Worth: $8.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Robert Kraft | Net Worth: $13.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Alexandra Parker | Spouse of Sean Parker | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Sean Parker | Net Worth: $3.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Herbert Allen | Net Worth: $2.1B | Donations to Collins Groups: $7,000
Andrea Friese | Spouse of Donald Friese | Donations to Collins Groups: $6,375
Joe Lonsdale | Net Worth: $2.5B | Donations to Collins Groups: $6,000
Laura Dangermond | Spouse of Jack Dangermond | Donations to Collins Groups: $5,500
John Fisher | Net Worth: $3.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $5,000
Lee Bass | Net Worth: $2.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $4,883
Alice Walton | Net Worth: $121B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Barbara Hyde | Spouse of Joseph Hyde III | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
David Adelman | Net Worth: $2.4B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Jim Walton | Net Worth: $129.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Joseph Hyde III | Net Worth: $2.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Margaretta Taylor | Net Worth: $6.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Mitchell Jacobson | Net Worth: $2.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Trevor Rees-Jones | Net Worth: $5.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Charles B. Johnson | Net Worth: $5.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,500
Sarah Kennedy | Spouse of James Kennedy | Donations to Collins Groups: $3,000
Joe Rogers Jr | Net Worth: $2.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $2,500
Andrew Tisch | Net Worth: $1.7B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,500
Anthony Pritzker | Net Worth: $4.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,500
Lukas Walton | Net Worth: $44.9B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,200
Palmer Luckey | Net Worth: $5.0B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,200
Baiju Bhatt | Net Worth: $5.8B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,000
Frank Laukien | Net Worth: $2.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,000
Jerry Speyer | Net Worth: $2.2B | Donations to Collins Groups: $1,000
Phil Ruffin | Net Worth: $4.3B | Donations to Collins Groups: $500
Sherrilyn Fisher | Spouse of Ken Fisher | Donations to Collins Groups: $400
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