1996 United States Senate election in Maine

The 1996 United States Senate election in Maine was held November 5, 1996. Incumbent Republican United States Senator William Cohen decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. To replace him, United States Congressman and former Governor of Maine Joseph E. Brennan won the Democratic primary while political consultant and 1994 nominee for Governor of Maine Susan Collins won the Republican primary. A competitive general election ensued, but Collins ultimately won out over Brennan, keeping the seat in the Republican column. With Collins' election to the Senate in 1996, Maine became only the second state after California to have two sitting women senators.

1996 United States Senate election in Maine

November 5, 1996

Nominee Susan Collins Joseph E. Brennan Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 298,422 266,226 Percentage 49.18% 43.88%

County Results Collins:      40–50%      50–60% Brennan:      40-50%

U.S. senator before election William Cohen Republican Elected U.S. Senator Susan Collins Republican

Elections in Maine
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Brennan and Collins both ran in the 1994 Maine gubernatorial election, and each won their respective party's nomination, but lost the general election to independent Angus King, who would eventually join Collins in the Senate in 2013.