Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is considering making a run for governor next year.
"Let me say that I am looking at where I can do the most good for the people of Maine," she told WGAN radio.
She added: "It's a hard decision."
Maine Gov. Paul LePage is prevented from running because of term limits, The Hill reported. The state's constitution limits a governor to two back-to-back four-year terms, according to the website. LePage was elected in 2010 and again in 2014.
Collins had run unsuccessfully for governor in 1994 and there has been speculation she would make a bid for governor in 2018.
"I'm being totally honest with you, I truly don't know," she said when asked if she would run. "I really don't."
"In the Senate I now have significant seniority and that allows me to do a lot. Coming to be governor, if I were fortunate enough to be elected . . . you can work on issues that I care a lot about like economic development, jobs, education, and I would try to heal the state and bring people back together," she said.
Collins, who isn't up for reelection for the Senate until 2020, would have to resign if she ran for governor and won, The Hill reported. In that event, LePage would pick her replacement.
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