U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine

Calling it “a hard decision,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday she’s mulling whether to run for governor in 2018 in a bid to “try to heal the state and bring people back together.”

Collins, a Republican, told the Portland-based WGAN radio that she is weighing whether she should seek the office that eluded her at the start of her political career two decades ago.

“Let me say that I am looking at where I can do the most good for the people of Maine,” Collins said.

Pointing out that she has “significant seniority” in the Senate — where she chairs the Committee on Aging and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee  — “allows me to do a lot” since longevity plays a role in what positions senators can hold.

Collins said that if she “were fortunate enough to be elected” as governor, she could “work on issues I care a lot of about like economic development, jobs, education.”

Plus, she told the radio station, “I would try to heal the state and bring people back together, which I think is important as well.”

Collins, 64, said she is “trying to figure out where I can do the most good.”

At this point, she said, “I truly don’t know, I really don’t. It’s a hard decision.”

 This story will be updated.