Maine’s two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills will run for the U.S. Senate seat held by veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins next year, according to two people familiar with Mills’ plans on Friday, setting up a potential matchup between the parties’ best-known figures in a state where Democrats see a chance to gain a seat in their uphill quest for the majority.

Mills was the top choice of national Democrats to try to unseat Collins, who has held the seat since 1997, and was urged to run by party leaders including Sen. Chuck Schumer, the minority leader. Her entry in the race is another recruiting win for Democrats, who also have well known Democrats with statewide experience looking to pick up GOP-held seats in North Carolina and Ohio.

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