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It may just be that the Collins brand is very strong — perhaps unstoppable — in the state. While some of her Senate counterparts fight for their electoral lives in what should be safe GOP states across the country, Collins is on target to win re-election by a healthy margin in a state that should be a better bet for Democrats.

House

1st district
Open seat: Tom Allen (D) is running for Senate
Outlook: Safe Democratic

Former Common Cause President Chellie Pingree (D) proved she deserved the frontrunner status in this race all along when she resoundingly topped a crowded field to win the June primary. Since that win, Pingree’s campaign has kept its head to the ground and out of the headlines.

Republicans have nominated Iraq War veteran Charlie Summers for a second time in this district. Summers, who also won a contested June primary, made his first go at the seat in 2004.

It’s likely this race will stay under the radar until Election Day, mostly because the Democratic-leaning district will likely elect Pingree. While Summers is a promising candidate who will likely be buoyed by Sen. Susan Collins’ (R) expected statewide win, it’s unlikely that he can find the traction or the funds to give Pingree a run for her money by November.

Massachusetts

Senate

Incumbent: John Kerry (D)
4th term (80 percent)
Outlook: Safe Democratic

It’s almost a wonder what Kerry is saving that $7.5 million war chest for these days. He easily defeated his token Democratic primary opposition — a mostly self-funded anti-war candidate whom Kerry debated just once.

Republican hopes were deflated when their chosen contender, former 5th district candidate and hay farmer Jim Ogonowski, failed to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot. Instead, the GOP nominated security adviser Jeff Beatty to take on the former Democratic White House nominee.

It’s hard to imagine what Kerry could do in the next month to lose the election, especially with opposition that only boasts token support from the national party.

House

1st district
Incumbent: John Olver (D)
9th term (76 percent)
Outlook: Safe Democratic

Only four of the state’s 10 House Members — and all 10 are Democrats — have challengers this fall. Of the four, Olver’s opponent, Navy veteran Nate Bech (R), is running the most aggressive campaign. But he still doesn’t have a prayer.

New Hampshire

Senate

Incumbent: John Sununu (R)
1st term (51 percent)
Outlook: Leans Democratic

Republicans have been saying for months that the polls, which often showed former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) up by double digits, would tighten by the fall. Entering into the final stretch before Election Day, the polls have closed significantly in this rematch between the two Granite State titans.

However, most political observers in the state would agree that Shaheen still has the edge, and the most recent polling has shown her a few points ahead of Sununu. Insiders say it’s still the former governor’s race to lose.

Nonetheless, Sununu has plenty of money to spend in these last few weeks. While the Senator ran a frugal campaign throughout 2007 and early 2008, Shaheen was already spending money on television ads. In short, he’s got more money to spend on television this fall than she does.

This race will likely continue to tighten as voters hit the polls. If GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) continues to perform well in the state — and polls have shown him in a competitive race — then Sununu might just pull off a second win against Shaheen. Still, most analysts believe the recent Democratic trends in the state give Shaheen the advantage.

House

1st district
Incumbent: Carol Shea-Porter (D)
1st term (51 percent)
Outlook: Tossup

One of the most vulnerable incumbents in the country, Shea-Porter’s re-election might be more difficult than her first race. Public polls have shown her trailing the man she ousted two years ago, former Rep. Jeb Bradley (R).