← Maine Senate race

Susan Collins

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, the incumbent. Every point on this page links to its source. We don't grade candidates or tell you how to vote. As of 2026-09-27.

At a glance

PartyRepublican
Running forU.S. Senate, Maine
Born1952
EducationSt. Lawrence University
Occupationpolitician, director, congressional staff

Source: Wikidata

Record

U.S. Senator, Maine1997–presentBiographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
Accurate?

Full official biography, including earlier offices (Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress)

In Congress: 695 bills and resolutions sponsored, 6644 cosponsored, 25 became law on their own (a bill folded into a larger law isn't counted). Congress.gov

Confirmation votes

Every Supreme Court confirmation while in the Senate, and Cabinet confirmations in the last two Congresses. Senate records, newest first.

Supreme Court

Cabinet

Accurate?

Where they stand

In their own words, from their campaign and official websites, summarised in plain English. Under each issue, their Senate votes: Final passage votes in the Senate in the last two Congresses (2023 to now), matched to each issue by Congress.gov's own topic for the bill (and its subject tags, unless it is a catch-all bill with dozens), closest votes first: a lopsided vote says little about where anyone stands.

Economy and cost of living

Collins says she has worked to expand access to workforce training, supports small businesses and job creators, and has backed tax relief for families and fair trade policies so Maine workers can compete.

“I believe that expanding access to robust workforce training is essential to give people the opportunity to gain the skills they need to secure good-paying jobs”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/economy
Accurate?
Accurate?

Taxes and government spending

Collins says she has authored and supported legislation to provide tax relief for families and job creators and to cut bureaucratic red tape.

“I have also authored and supported legislation to provide tax relief for families and job creators, cut bureaucratic red tape”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/economy
Accurate?
Accurate?

Health care

Collins says the health care system needs reform to address rising medical and drug costs and provider shortages, and that she works to expand access to care in rural areas, enhance mental health care, expand drug treatment, and lower prescription drug costs.

“I frequently work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address these and other important issues facing our nation, such as enhancing mental health care, expanding drug treatment programs, supporting America’s caregivers, and improving nutrition programs.”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/health-care
Accurate?
Accurate?

Social Security and Medicare

Collins says her priorities include improving retirement security, increasing research funding for diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, combating scams targeting seniors, and she authored the Social Security Fairness Act to restore benefits for people affected by certain offsets.

“As a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, my priorities include improving retirement security, increasing biomedical research for diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes, and combatting scams targeting seniors.”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/senior-issues
Accurate?
Accurate?

Immigration and the border

No stated position on their website.

Accurate?
Accurate?

Abortion

No stated position on their website.

Accurate?

Energy and climate

Collins says she is committed to policies that protect Maine's environment while supporting its economy, and has worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create clean energy jobs while also retaining manufacturing jobs, noting high energy costs burden Maine families who rely heavily on fuel oil for heat.

“Throughout my time in the U.S. Senate, I have worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and spur the creation of clean energy jobs – while retaining important American manufacturing jobs.”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/energy-and-environment
Accurate?
Accurate?

Guns

No stated position on their website.

Accurate?
Accurate?

Foreign policy and defense

Collins says that as a member of the Senate Appropriations and Intelligence Committees she has worked to shape national security policy and has secured provisions in defense bills supporting Maine defense-related employers like Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

“I have successfully secured provisions in annual defense authorization and funding bills that support work at Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the University of Maine, Saco Defense, Pratt & Whitney, and other companies that are vital to Maine's economy.”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/defense-and-national-security
Accurate?
Accurate?

Elections and ethics in government

Collins says that as former Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee she has authored legislation and conducted oversight investigations to ensure accountability and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.

“I have authored legislation and conducted oversight investigations to ensure accountability and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.”
https://www.collins.senate.gov/issues/homeland-security
Accurate?
Accurate?

Money

From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.

Susan Collins (REP, incumbent)

Raised
$16.2M through 2026-06-30 individuals $10.5M · PACs $1.2M · party $62K · from the candidate's other committees $4.3M · cash on hand $11.0M
Outside spending
$9.3M opposing Collins · $4.3M supporting Collins · latest reported 2026-09-25
Largest outside spenders
WINSENATE — $6.6M opposing Collins · 5 ads on this pageLargest donors: SMP $4.1M (100%) (its largest donors: MAJORITY FORWARD $61.0M, an organization; Fred Eychaner $9.0M; DEMOCRACY PAC $9.0M) END CITIZENS UNITED ACTION FUND — $1.0M opposing Collins LEAD MAINE COMMITTEE, INC. — $955K supporting Collins · 2 ads on this pageLargest donors: SENTINEL ACTION FUND $1.7M (100%) STRONGER MAINE — $892K supporting Collins Largest donors: STRONGER AMERICA, INC. $1.4M (53%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); COMMON SENSE LEADERSHIP FUND $500K (19%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); CONSERVATIVE AMERICANS PAC $250K (9%); THE SENTINEL ACTION FUND $250K (9%); AMERICAN ADVANCEMENT, INC. $250K (9%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC) PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES — $757K opposing Collins Largest donors: Deborah Simon $3.0M (38%), Retired; Mary Quinn Delaney $1.5M (19%), Retired; Denise Sobel $1.2M (16%), Retired; PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND, INC. $500K (6%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Eileen Laspa $400K (5%), Retired and 19 more
Bundled through PACs
$2.8M through 5 PACs · FEC bulk data of 2026-09-27 AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE — $2.6M from 1,480 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC NORPAC — $107K from 53 gifts REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RJC-PAC) — $54K from 45 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC NO LABELS PAC — $21K from 6 gifts NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NABPAC) — $6,100 from 6 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC
247 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
  • 1890 PAC $10K
  • ABBOTT LABORATORIES EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • AECOM PAC $2,500
  • AFLAC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • AGC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
  • AIPAC (AMERICAN ISREAL PAC) $8,500
  • AIR LINE PILOTS ASSN INT'L PAC $3,000
  • ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION PAC $4,500
  • AM GENERAL PAC $10K
  • AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION PAC $10K
  • AMERICA'S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PAC $1,500
  • AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • AMERICAN AIRLINES PAC $10K
  • AMERICAN BAKERS ASSOC. PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOC. PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC. PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY ASSOC PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING CO PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURERS PAC $7,500
  • AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN FOREST AND PAPER ASSOCIATION PAC $2,500
  • AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS PAC AICPA $2,500
  • AMERICAN INVESTMENT COUNCIL PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS VOLUNTARY PAC $2,500
  • AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION PAC $5,000
  • AMERICAN RHEINMETALL DEFENSE INC. PAC $10K
  • AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • AMERICAN UNITY PAC $10K
  • AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • AMERICANS FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY $1,000
  • ANDURIL INDUSTRIES INC. PAC $1,000
  • ASCO ASSOCIATION PAC $1,500
  • ASSOC OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS PAC $750
  • ASURION PAC $2,500
  • AUSTAL USA LLC PAC $1,000
  • BADLANDS PAC $10K
  • BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC $10K
  • BAKER DONELSON PAC $1,000
  • BANK OF AMERICA CORP FEDERAL PAC $2,500
  • BEST AT BRINGING ENTREPRENEURIAL RESULTS NEVER IMAGINED PAC $10K
  • BHFS-E, PC PAC BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • BIG SKY OPPORTUNITY PAC $10K
  • BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSN. PAC $1,500
  • BLUE ORIGIN LLC PAC $3,500
  • BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS PAC $5,000
  • BUILD PAC $5,000
  • BUILDING A NATIONAL KNOWLEDGEABLE SECURITY PAC $10K
  • BUILDING AMERICA'S REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATION PAC $5,000
  • BUILDING RENEWAL IN AMERICA NOW PAC $1,000
  • BUILDING UP DEMOCRACY'S DREAM $10K
  • CAPITAL ONE ASSOCIATES POLITICAL FUND $1,000
  • CARGILL INC. PAC $2,000
  • CENTENE CORPORATION PAC $1,000
  • CHEROKEE NATION $7,000
  • CHEVRON EMPLOYEES PAC $3,500
  • CHS/COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC. PAC $5,000
  • CISCO SYSTEMS E-PAC $3,500
  • CITIZENS FOR PROSPERITY IN AMERICA TODAY PAC $5,000
  • COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC PAC $2,500
  • COMMON SENSE FOR AMERICA PAC $10K
  • CONSERVATIVE OPPORTUNITY LEADERSHIP & ENTERPRISE PAC $5,000
  • CONSTELLATION ENERGY PAC $1,000
  • COX ENTERPRISES, INC. PAC $2,500
  • CRH AMERICA, INC. PAC $7,500
  • CROWELL & MORING LLP PAC $1,500
  • CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVT FUND $5,000
  • DAKOTA PAC $10K
  • DELOITTE FEDERAL PAC $10K
  • DENALI LEADERSHIP PAC $10K
  • DENTONS US LLP PAC $8,500
  • DUNKIN' BRANDS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • E-PAC $10K
  • ELANCO US INC. PAC $1,000
  • EMD SERONO INC PAC $2,500
  • EMPLOYEES OF RTX CORP PAC $5,500
  • ENERGY MARKETERS OF AMERICA SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE PAC $5,000
  • ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS, INC. PAC $8,500
  • EUREKA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $10K
  • EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (EXXONMOBIL PAC) $2,500
  • FARM CREDIT PAC $5,000
  • FC COMPASSUS LLC, PAC $2,500
  • FEDERATION OF AMERICAN HOSPITALS PAC $1,000
  • FIGHTING FOR MISSOURI PAC $5,000
  • FINSECA PAC $5,000
  • FIRST FIVE ACTION FUND $1,000
  • FIRST NATIONAL BANK CORP PAC $1,000
  • FORD MOTOR COMPANY CIVIC ACTION FUND $2,500
  • FOX PAC $5,000
  • FREE STATE PAC $5,000
  • FUND FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE PAC $10K
  • GE AEROSPACE PAC $5,000
  • GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. PAC $3,000
  • GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GM PAC) $10K
  • GENIE ENERGY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $6,000
  • GILEAD SCIENCES INC. HEALTHCARE POLICY PAC $2,500
  • GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC. PAC $5,000
  • GOOGLE NET PAC $2,500
  • GRAND CANYON STATE CAUCUS $5,000
  • GUIDEWELL PAC $5,000
  • HCA GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND $5,000
  • HEALTH CARE SERVICE CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,500
  • HEARTLAND VALUES PAC $10K
  • HOLLAND & KNIGHT COMMITTEE FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT $6,000
  • IDT CORP PAC $10K
  • IHEARTMEDIA, INC. PAC $3,000
  • IHG SIX CONTINENTS HOTELS INC. PAC $1,000
  • INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS PAC $1,000
  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ITI PAC) $1,500
  • INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FOODS ASSOC PAC $2,500
  • INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE DIST ASSOC PAC $1,000
  • INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION FRANCHISING PAC INC. $2,000
  • INTERNATIONAL PAPER PAC $10K
  • IPSEN BIOPHARMACEUTICALS EE PAC $2,500
  • JACKSON HOLDINGS LLC SSF $2,500
  • JOBS OPPORTUNITY NOW -- JON PAC $13K
  • JOBS, FREEDOM AND SECURITY PAC $10K
  • JOBS, OPPORTUNITY AND NEW IDEAS PAC $10K
  • JOHNSON & JOHNSON PAC $2,500
  • KING & SPALDING NON PARTISAN COMMITTEE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT $2,500
  • KOCH, INC. PAC $5,000
  • KRATOS PAC $2,500
  • L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INC PAC $4,500
  • LANKPAC $5,000
  • LEAD ENCOURAGE ELECT PAC $5,000
  • LET'S GET TO WORK PAC $10K
  • LIFEPOINT HEALTH PAC $5,000
  • LOCKHEED MARTIN PAC $6,000
  • LOCKTON INC PAC $3,700
  • LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS PAC $10K
  • M/I HOMES PAC $2,500
  • MAINTAINING ALL REPUBLICANS IN OFFICE $5,000
  • MAKING INVESTMENTS TOWARD CONSERVATIVE HEROES PAC $5,000
  • MANAGED FUNDS ASSOCIATION PAC $5,000
  • MANAGEMENT & TRAINING CORP PAC $3,000
  • MARSHA PAC $10K
  • MASSACHUSETTS BIOTECHNOLOGY COUNCIL FEDERAL PAC $3,500
  • MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY ASSOCIATION PAC (MPL PAC) $1,000
  • MEDTRONIC INC PAC $3,000
  • MERCK PAC $2,500
  • META PLATFORMS INC. PAC $2,500
  • MICHIGAN'S RESURGENCE PAC $10K
  • MICROSOFT CORP STAKEHOLDERS VOL PAC $5,000
  • MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION PAC $10K
  • MOTOROLA PAC $2,500
  • MTSI PAC $5,000
  • MVL PAC $10K
  • NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FOREST OWNERS PAC $10K
  • NATIONAL ASSOC OF BROADCASTERS PAC (NABPAC) $10K
  • NATIONAL ASSOC OF CONVENIENCE STORES PAC $9,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOC OF MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES PAC $2,500
  • NATIONAL ASSOC. OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOC. OF REALTORS PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOC. OF SOCIAL WORKERS PAC $1,000
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS PAC $3,000
  • NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOC PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOC. PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL CONCRETE MASONRY ASSOC. PAC $2,500
  • NATIONAL FISHERIES INSTITUTE PAC (FISH PAC) $9,000
  • NATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION GROCERS PAC $1,000
  • NATIONAL LIMOUSINE ASSOC PAC $1,000
  • NATIONAL MARINE MANF ASSOC BOAT PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL POSTAL MAIL HANDLERS PAC $1,500
  • NATIONAL RURAL LETTER CARRIERS ASSOC PAC $5,000
  • NATIONAL VICTORY ACTION FUND $4,500
  • NATSO PAC $5,000
  • NEBRASKA SANDHILLS PAC $10K
  • NFIB FEDERAL PAC $2,500
  • NOR PAC $5,000
  • OORAH! PAC $10K
  • ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY PAC $2,000
  • OTSUKA AMERICA PHARMACEUTICAL INC. PAC $1,000
  • PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • PENNSYLVANIA HONOR PAC $10K
  • PERATON PAC $1,000
  • PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA BETTER GOVT. COMMITTEE $2,500
  • PHYSICAL THERAPY PAC $4,000
  • PITNEY BOWES INC. PAC $2,000
  • PORTPAC $5,000
  • PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS PAC $10K
  • PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1,000
  • PROCTER & GAMBLE CO. GOOD GOVT COMM. $3,500
  • PROJECT WEST PAC $5,000
  • PROSPERITY ACTION INC. PAC $1,500
  • PUBLIX SUPER MARKET ASSOC PAC $5,000
  • REPUBLICAN MAIN STREET PARTNERSHIP PAC $10K
  • REPUBLICAN MAJORITY FUND $10K
  • RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM WORK PAC $10K
  • ROMNEY FOR UTAH $4,000
  • RWE CLEAN ENERGY SERVICES, LLC PAC $1,000
  • S.C. JOHNSON & SON INC PAC $3,000
  • SANOFI US SERVICES INC. EES PAC $5,000
  • SCHWAN PAC $1,000
  • SEAL PAC $5,000
  • SEASONAL EMPLOYER PAC $5,000
  • SENATE EAGLE PAC $10K
  • SEND IN THE SEAL PAC $10K
  • SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY $3,000
  • SHIELD AI PAC $2,000
  • SMURFIT WESTROCK PAC $1,000
  • SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS PAC $2,500
  • STAND FOR AMERICA PAC $5,000
  • STEER PAC $10K
  • STRONG COUNTRY FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW $5,000
  • SYLVAMO CORP. PAC $2,500
  • TENABLE INC. PAC $5,000
  • TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED PAC $2,000
  • TEXTRON INC. PAC $5,000
  • THE BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $8,000
  • THE CHICKASAW NATION $2,500
  • THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT SUSAN AUSTIN $500
  • THE HAWKEYE PAC $5,000
  • THE HOME DEPOT INC. PAC $5,000
  • THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY PAC $3,500
  • THE LOOSE GROUP PAC $5,000
  • THE REAL ESTATE ROUNDTABLE PAC $5,000
  • THE SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS PAC $1,000
  • THE TIMKEN COMPANY GOOD GOVT FUND $1,000
  • THOMPAC $10K
  • THOMPSON COBURN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,500
  • TOMORROW IS MEANINGFUL PAC $10K
  • TORCH TECHNOLOGIES INC. PAC $5,000
  • TRUIST FINANCIAL CORPORATION FEDERAL PAC $5,000
  • UNION PACIFIC FUND FOR EFFECTIVE GOVT $5,000
  • UNITE AMERICA PAC $2,500
  • UNITED AIRLINES PAC $6,000
  • UNITED FRESH PRODUCE ASSOC MULTI CANDIDATE COMMITTEE $2,500
  • UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION PAC $1,000
  • UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORP PAC $5,000
  • UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP PAC $3,500
  • UPSPAC $5,000
  • USAA EMPLOYEE PAC $5,000
  • VALUE IN ELECTING WOMEN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • VEN-PAC $1,000
  • VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PAC $4,500
  • VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC PAC $2,000
  • VISA USA PAC $5,000
  • WALPAC -- WALMART INC. PAC FOR RESPONSIBLE GOV'T $1,500
  • WATERPAC NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSN. $10K
  • WESTERN ENERGY ALLIANCE PAC $1,000
  • WILD AND WONDERFUL PAC $10K
  • WINE & SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF AMERICA $2,500
  • WINE INSTITUTE PAC $10K
  • WINNING FOR AMERICA PAC $5,000
  • WINNING STRATEGIES WASHINGTON PAC $1,000
  • WONDER WOMEN PAC $5,100
  • WOOLPERT, INC. PAC $3,500
  • ZENECA PAC $1,000

All filings at the FEC ↗

Praise and criticism

What named supporters and critics say, as reported. Shown in equal numbers.

Praise

Foster (P&K Sand and Gravel): Praised Collins for helping resolve a P&K issue with a federal agency, saying her office is highly responsive. pressherald.com

Accurate?

Donald Trump: Said Collins is a good person and expressed hope she wins reelection to keep the GOP Senate majority. centralmaine.com

Accurate?

Joe Manchin: Says losing Collins would mean losing 'the soul of the Senate,' someone who always tries to do the right thing. pressherald.com

Accurate?

Donald Trump: Says Collins is a good person and he hopes she wins to keep the Republican Senate majority. pressherald.com

Accurate?

Criticism

Sara Gideon: Criticized Collins for lacking public clarity on whether she supports Trump. bangordailynews.com

Accurate?

Mini Timmaraju: Said Collins betrayed abortion-rights supporters through her Kavanaugh vote and support for anti-abortion judges. thehill.com

Accurate?

Erin Evans: Said she regrets voting for Collins, viewing her Kavanaugh vote as a betrayal. pbs.org

Accurate?

Phil Bartlett: Said Collins' Planned Parenthood vote shows her party loyalty outweighs her constituents' interests. pressherald.com

Accurate?

Controversies

Stated as reported. Most are reported by at least two independent news outlets or found in an official record; any with only one source so far is marked Single source.

Court cases

Kao's guilty plea over illegal donations to Collins-aligned committees

Martin Kao, former CEO of defense contractor Navatek, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, funneling campaign contributions through a shell company, and making false statements, related to $150,000 in donations to a super PAC supporting Collins' 2020 campaign and about $45,000 in direct donations. Neither the indictment nor court statements indicated involvement by Collins' campaign, which said it had no knowledge of the scheme.

Sources: bangordailynews.com, mainepublic.org

Accurate?

Allegations

FEC complaint over alleged coordination with 1820 PAC

The Maine Democratic Party filed an FEC complaint (MUR 7646) requesting further investigation into whether Collins' campaign coordinated with the 1820 PAC, an independent-expenditure-only committee. Collins' campaign called the complaint "a purely partisan political stunt" lacking factual allegations and asked the FEC to dismiss it.

Sources: fec.gov

Accurate?

Crowdfunding campaign against Kavanaugh vote called "bribery" by Collins; watchdog asked DOJ to investigate Single source

Only one source found so far. We keep looking for a second, independent report.

A watchdog group, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, asked the Justice Department to investigate whether an online crowdfunding campaign that pledged over $1 million to Collins' future opponent if she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh constituted illegal bribery; Collins herself also called the effort an attempt at bribery, while organizers defended it as legitimate advocacy.

Sources: usatoday.com

Accurate?

Investigations

Navatek pay-to-play allegations and FBI probe Single source

Only one source found so far. We keep looking for a second, independent report.

ProPublica reported the FBI sought to open a bribery investigation into Sen. Collins over allegations that Navatek CEO Martin Kao funneled campaign contributions through a shell company in exchange for Collins helping the company win millions in federal defense contracts; the probe was closed after the Trump administration removed the agents involved. Kao pleaded guilty to illegal campaign contributions but no one from Collins' office or campaign was charged.

Sources: propublica.org, mainepublic.org

Accurate?

Other

Anthrax-hoax threat letter sent to Collins Single source

Only one source found so far. We keep looking for a second, independent report.

A Maine woman was charged with mailing a threatening letter containing a white powder made to look like anthrax to Sen. Collins' home in 2018, in the wake of her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh; she confessed to sending it, according to an FBI criminal complaint.

Sources: usatoday.com

Accurate?

Collins' Response to Bribery Allegations

After the ProPublica report, Collins publicly called the reporting a "political hit job" and a "smear job," attributing the story to Democratic operatives, while her office denied any wrongdoing and said the campaign fully cooperated with the FBI.

Sources: foxnews.com, cnn.com

Accurate?

From Semblen

Semblen analyzed 144 ads from Susan Collins's campaign; 26 used at least one manipulation technique, most often Glittering Generalities, Appeal to Prejudice, Loaded Language. See the ads, the money and every candidate in this race →

Sources

Something missing or wrong?

Tell us here, or use Accurate? under any item above. A person reads every note. Campaigns can also write to [email protected]; we correct errors and say so.

Get notified as this improves — new detection models, the browser extension, and outlet scorecards. Occasional email, no spam.

Semblen LLC · 5900 Balcones Drive STE 100, Austin, TX 78731 · unsubscribe any time