John,

I'm officially facing off against Sen. Susan Collins on the ballot in November – and I'm asking you to give $5 now to help me kick off my general election fight to win in Maine and flip the Senate blue.

Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight ranks Maine as one of the most flippable seats in the country – but national Republicans are worried about this race. Since we launched our campaign last year, your support has brought this race into the margin of error. Recent polling has this race neck and neck. 

But we know Mitch McConnell and the GOP are desperate to hold on to their Senate majority – and they cannot do that without winning here in Maine. So they're already attacking us, John, and ready to pour in tens of millions more to protect Susan Collins' seat.

There are fewer than 100 days left to win in Maine, to build the campaign we need to take on the entirety of the GOP establishment and dark money lining up behind Susan Collins. The stakes couldn't be higher, winning here is central to who controls the Senate – and I know that I can't do this alone. 

That's why Catherine suggested I reach out personally for your help today, John: Will you give $5 or more right now – anything you can spare – to help me win in Maine, defeat Susan Collins and flip the Senate blue? I'm relying on grassroots donors like you to power my campaign. 

Susan Collins has the full firepower of Mitch McConnell's special interest allies because she always sides with him when the GOP's power is at stake. She's helped him confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment and push a massive tax scam through the Senate that harms working families while benefiting corporations and the wealthiest 1% overwhelmingly.

Collins might have an unlimited supply of right-wing dollars, but I have the power of grassroots Democrats like you. We're building a people-powered campaign, and I hope I can have your continued support in our fight to win back the Senate – the future of health care, the Supreme Court and our democracy depends on it.

It's time for a change. Mainers deserve a senator with a backbone, not a rubber stamp for Mitch McConnell's ultraconservative agenda when he needs it most – and in a race this close, every dollar is going to count. Here's the best link to give, if you can spare it: secure.actblue.com/donate/ccm4sg

Thank you so much for your support. We have the momentum to flip this seat and the Senate because of you – and I'm grateful to have you by my side in this fight, John.

Sara Gideon
U.S. Senate candidate, Maine