A Biddeford Democrat who spent nearly 15 years as a civilian contracting officer for the U.S. Air Force is the latest candidate to announce plans to run against Sen. Susan Collins next year. Daira Smith-Rodriguez announced her candidacy Thursday, adding her name to a growing list of candidates looking to challenge Maine’s senior senator in the 2026 Senate race. AdvertisementSmith-Rodriguez was born at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, and spent her childhood moving around for her father’s military career, according to her website. She later became a civilian contracting officer in the Air Force and is married to a major in the Maine Air National Guard. She is the latest candidate to join what is quickly becoming a crowded field to challenge Collins, a five-term Republican incumbent who has said she plans to run again next year.