Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby announced she will not seek re-election in 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
"Maine needs a long-term, durable campaign infrastructure that grows our conservative grassroots movement and sets Republicans up for success in 2026 and beyond," Libby told FOX News Digital. "Lead Maine and its affiliated organizations are committed to building exactly that by educating and mobilizing citizens to drive meaningful societal and electoral change at both the state and national levels."
Libby is also partnering with The Sentinel Action Fund to create the Lead Maine Committee, a federal super PAC in which a conservative grassroots network will be used to reach voters in an effort to turn out support for Collins’ re-election next year, as well as other Republicans in future elections.
The partnership will invest more than $4 million to support Collins' re-election, according to a press release from The Sentinel Action Fund that was obtained by FOX News Digital.
The Sentinel Action Fund’s backing of Collins represents the group's first endorsement for the 2026 midterm election cycle. In 2024, the super PAC endorsed and supported U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., and Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, in their races.
"2024 showed us the power and importance of a strong ground game and GOTV operation that communicates with voters early and often," Sentinel Action Fund President Jessica Anderson told FOX News Digital. "With the midterm elections only 350 days away, we're hitting the ground running in Maine as we announce Sentinel Action Fund's new partnership with Laurel Libby and the Lead Maine Committee. We are thrilled to work alongside Laurel Libby, who has proven her dedication to standing up to Janet Mills and the radicalized Maine Democrats. She is a true leader for Mainers, and we look forward to a strong partnership to ensure Senator Susan Collins is re-elected in 2026."
Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced last month she would challenge Collins for her Senate seat.
DELETED POSTS URGING VIOLENCE HAUNT DEMOCRATIC SENATE HOPEFUL IN MAINE RACE
Maine State Rep. Laurel Libby is a staunch critic of policies allowing transgender athletes in girls' sports. (Getty/Maine House of Representatives)
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Lower courts initially denied her requests for an injunction, but the U.S. Supreme Court later ordered the restoration of her voting privileges while her lawsuit made its way through the appeals court. The Maine House in June fully restored Libby's speaking and voting rights for the remainder of the legislative session.
"I understand firsthand just how radical Maine Democrats have become," Libby told FOX News Digital. "Protecting this Senate seat and ensuring Senator Collins can continue her work in Washington is important to every freedom-loving Mainer. Lead Maine’s efforts and partnership with Sentinel Action Fund is dedicated to empowering Mainers to use their voices and build a network that will not only support this key race, but will also fill structural gaps in our state as we look beyond 2026. I am excited to lead the charge on the ground and work with our partners to turn Maine solidly red."
Libby "has proven to be a strong and effective grassroots leader in Maine, and we thank her for her service to the Maine State Legislature and her unfailing leadership," Anderson said.
"Sentinel Action Fund is excited to partner with her through the Lead Maine Committee to mobilize a wide coalition of voters to support Senator Susan Collins’s re-election efforts in 2026," Anderson continued. "This seat is key to protecting – and building on – Republicans’ U.S. Senate majority, and we must use every opportunity to talk to voters and get them to the polls next year."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maine-rep-laurel-libby-wont-seek-re-election-partners-sentinel-action-fund-4m-boost-sen-collins