Collins Watch
@collinswatch.bsky.social
Keeping an eye on Maine's senior senator and Maine politics since 2006. Send tips/thoughts to collinswatch@protonmail.com. susancollinswatch.substack.com
Remember, Susan Collins says she is against the clean ACA funding extension that's about to pass the House on a bipartisan basis. #MEpolitics
221-205, House passes the “motion to discharge” the Jeffries 3-year ACA funding extension.
NINE (!) Republicans join unanimous Democrats in voting to advance it.
This tees up a final House vote tomorrow; it’s poised to sail through.
NINE (!) Republicans join unanimous Democrats in voting to advance it.
This tees up a final House vote tomorrow; it’s poised to sail through.
January 8, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Remember, Susan Collins says she is against the clean ACA funding extension that's about to pass the House on a bipartisan basis. #MEpolitics
Graham Platner's message here is a notable departure from the business-as-usual platitudes we've heard from too many (though far from all) Dem officials in the wake of today's shooting.
Whatever you think of his analysis/suggestions, at least he's not locked in a 2009 or 2019 mind set. #MEpolitics
Whatever you think of his analysis/suggestions, at least he's not locked in a 2009 or 2019 mind set. #MEpolitics
When you send armed, under-trained amateurs into American communities with vague orders and no accountability, this is inevitable.
ICE must be dismantled.
ICE must be dismantled.
January 8, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Graham Platner's message here is a notable departure from the business-as-usual platitudes we've heard from too many (though far from all) Dem officials in the wake of today's shooting.
Whatever you think of his analysis/suggestions, at least he's not locked in a 2009 or 2019 mind set. #MEpolitics
Whatever you think of his analysis/suggestions, at least he's not locked in a 2009 or 2019 mind set. #MEpolitics
Platner statement in the wake of the killing of a woman in Minneapolis, apparently by a masked ICE officer.
Some local Maine context: A bill to prohibit ICE from wearing masks in Maine was blocked from consideration in Nov by Dem leaders Daughtry, Fecteau and Pierce. None have said why. #MEpolitics
Some local Maine context: A bill to prohibit ICE from wearing masks in Maine was blocked from consideration in Nov by Dem leaders Daughtry, Fecteau and Pierce. None have said why. #MEpolitics
January 7, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Platner statement in the wake of the killing of a woman in Minneapolis, apparently by a masked ICE officer.
Some local Maine context: A bill to prohibit ICE from wearing masks in Maine was blocked from consideration in Nov by Dem leaders Daughtry, Fecteau and Pierce. None have said why. #MEpolitics
Some local Maine context: A bill to prohibit ICE from wearing masks in Maine was blocked from consideration in Nov by Dem leaders Daughtry, Fecteau and Pierce. None have said why. #MEpolitics
Five years ago today, after a madman president incited an insurrection against the government of the United States -- and as calls for impeachment and removal gathered steam -- Susan Collins sent her spokesman out to say that we should all let bygones be bygones.
Never forget. #MEpolitics
Never forget. #MEpolitics
January 7, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Five years ago today, after a madman president incited an insurrection against the government of the United States -- and as calls for impeachment and removal gathered steam -- Susan Collins sent her spokesman out to say that we should all let bygones be bygones.
Never forget. #MEpolitics
Never forget. #MEpolitics
By "Congress" they mean "Susan Collins"...but they can't *say* that because serving as Collins's propaganda arm is BDN's key reason for existing.
A bit of a conundrum! #MEpolitics
A bit of a conundrum! #MEpolitics
January 7, 2026 at 3:48 PM
By "Congress" they mean "Susan Collins"...but they can't *say* that because serving as Collins's propaganda arm is BDN's key reason for existing.
A bit of a conundrum! #MEpolitics
A bit of a conundrum! #MEpolitics
Four days ago human pretzel Susan Collins said she supported the Venezuela invasion because it was a limited scope law enforcement operation to arrest a criminal. (tinyurl.com/52j4cvbk) And now? #MEpolitics
Susan Collins on right-wing Maine radio this morning: “There needs to be a means of getting Venezuelan oil back on the market, both to help compensate those American companies but also to provide revenue to the Venezuelans.”
#mesen #mepolitics
#mesen #mepolitics
January 7, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Four days ago human pretzel Susan Collins said she supported the Venezuela invasion because it was a limited scope law enforcement operation to arrest a criminal. (tinyurl.com/52j4cvbk) And now? #MEpolitics
For reasons unknown, the folks at Portland Press Herald are putting a thumb on the scale for -- carrying water for -- a politician who's carrying water for fascism.
What story do they tell themselves to excuse their participation in this moral abomination? How do they sleep at night? #MEpolitics
What story do they tell themselves to excuse their participation in this moral abomination? How do they sleep at night? #MEpolitics
Portland Press Herald describing Susan Collins relationship with a president she's voted with 96% of the time this way -- and framing that relationship as some sort of fraught melodrama -- is a choice. (A sycophantic choice.) #MEpolitics
January 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
For reasons unknown, the folks at Portland Press Herald are putting a thumb on the scale for -- carrying water for -- a politician who's carrying water for fascism.
What story do they tell themselves to excuse their participation in this moral abomination? How do they sleep at night? #MEpolitics
What story do they tell themselves to excuse their participation in this moral abomination? How do they sleep at night? #MEpolitics
Portland Press Herald describing Susan Collins relationship with a president she's voted with 96% of the time this way -- and framing that relationship as some sort of fraught melodrama -- is a choice. (A sycophantic choice.) #MEpolitics
January 7, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Portland Press Herald describing Susan Collins relationship with a president she's voted with 96% of the time this way -- and framing that relationship as some sort of fraught melodrama -- is a choice. (A sycophantic choice.) #MEpolitics
$100M+ will be spent on the push to elect 5-term senator Susan Collins to a 6th term.
One reason it'll cost so much: Maine is the most pro-choice state in the US and Collins is to the right of the Wyoming (!) Supreme Court on abortion.
Takes lots of dough to distract from basic facts. #MEpolitics
One reason it'll cost so much: Maine is the most pro-choice state in the US and Collins is to the right of the Wyoming (!) Supreme Court on abortion.
Takes lots of dough to distract from basic facts. #MEpolitics
The Wyoming Supreme Court just ruled to protect abortion rights! They struck down the state's two abortion bans (yes, two).
I'm so thrilled for the people of Wyoming, but also for all of us—because the decision could actually help abortion rights everywhere.
jessica.substack.com/p/breaking-w...
I'm so thrilled for the people of Wyoming, but also for all of us—because the decision could actually help abortion rights everywhere.
jessica.substack.com/p/breaking-w...
Breaking: Wyoming Supreme Court Rules Abortion is Healthcare
The court struck down two state bans
jessica.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:43 AM
$100M+ will be spent on the push to elect 5-term senator Susan Collins to a 6th term.
One reason it'll cost so much: Maine is the most pro-choice state in the US and Collins is to the right of the Wyoming (!) Supreme Court on abortion.
Takes lots of dough to distract from basic facts. #MEpolitics
One reason it'll cost so much: Maine is the most pro-choice state in the US and Collins is to the right of the Wyoming (!) Supreme Court on abortion.
Takes lots of dough to distract from basic facts. #MEpolitics
"Objective" Maine press still not touching this salient story -- just like they tiptoed around Susan Collins backing of (and failure to repudiate) Rep. Lucas Lanigan (R-Sanford) who's been indicted for allegedly choking his wife to the point of bruising and signs of internal bleeding. #MEpolitics
Sen. Susan Collins helped fund the campaign of a Christo-fascist Maine legislator who called for the military to kidnap Governor Janet Mills. Paul is just one of the many fascists Collins' PAC has donated to. 🧵 mainebeacon.com/reagan-pauls...
Reagan Paul’s Venezuela ‘kudos’ is a call to violence, says analyst - Maine Beacon
Rep. Reagan Paul gave Pres. Donald Trump a “kudos” on Facebook for “taking down” former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and encouraged him to “now do Janet Mills and Tim Walz”. The raid on Maduro ...
mainebeacon.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:43 PM
"Objective" Maine press still not touching this salient story -- just like they tiptoed around Susan Collins backing of (and failure to repudiate) Rep. Lucas Lanigan (R-Sanford) who's been indicted for allegedly choking his wife to the point of bruising and signs of internal bleeding. #MEpolitics
In the wake of the expiration of ACA subsidies -- a clean extension of which Susan Collins opposes -- another Maine health center will close.
(Asked by multiple outlets for an explanation, Gray Family Health Center has repeatedly declined to give one which is odd.) tinyurl.com/ypk3zmvy #MEpolitics
(Asked by multiple outlets for an explanation, Gray Family Health Center has repeatedly declined to give one which is odd.) tinyurl.com/ypk3zmvy #MEpolitics
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
In the wake of the expiration of ACA subsidies -- a clean extension of which Susan Collins opposes -- another Maine health center will close.
(Asked by multiple outlets for an explanation, Gray Family Health Center has repeatedly declined to give one which is odd.) tinyurl.com/ypk3zmvy #MEpolitics
(Asked by multiple outlets for an explanation, Gray Family Health Center has repeatedly declined to give one which is odd.) tinyurl.com/ypk3zmvy #MEpolitics
Graham Platner campaign saying he raised $4.7M in Q4. 182,000 contributions.
The tattoo and Reddit stories broke mid-late October (during the first 1/3 of the quarter).
He raised $3.2M in six weeks in Q3 -- suggests his fundraising pace has slowed but not drastically. #MEpolitics
The tattoo and Reddit stories broke mid-late October (during the first 1/3 of the quarter).
He raised $3.2M in six weeks in Q3 -- suggests his fundraising pace has slowed but not drastically. #MEpolitics
January 6, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Graham Platner campaign saying he raised $4.7M in Q4. 182,000 contributions.
The tattoo and Reddit stories broke mid-late October (during the first 1/3 of the quarter).
He raised $3.2M in six weeks in Q3 -- suggests his fundraising pace has slowed but not drastically. #MEpolitics
The tattoo and Reddit stories broke mid-late October (during the first 1/3 of the quarter).
He raised $3.2M in six weeks in Q3 -- suggests his fundraising pace has slowed but not drastically. #MEpolitics
'Susan Collins hands Trump a gun but says he shouldn't fire it' #MEpolitics
January 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
'Susan Collins hands Trump a gun but says he shouldn't fire it' #MEpolitics
Far as we know the first time Susan Collins has explained why she won't block Trump nominees to rein him in.
Vacuous response but her facile answer also omits that Republicans -- and Collins herself! -- have often held Dem nominees to extract unrelated concessions. tinyurl.com/yeym27jm #MEpolitics
Vacuous response but her facile answer also omits that Republicans -- and Collins herself! -- have often held Dem nominees to extract unrelated concessions. tinyurl.com/yeym27jm #MEpolitics
January 6, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Far as we know the first time Susan Collins has explained why she won't block Trump nominees to rein him in.
Vacuous response but her facile answer also omits that Republicans -- and Collins herself! -- have often held Dem nominees to extract unrelated concessions. tinyurl.com/yeym27jm #MEpolitics
Vacuous response but her facile answer also omits that Republicans -- and Collins herself! -- have often held Dem nominees to extract unrelated concessions. tinyurl.com/yeym27jm #MEpolitics
I mean there were (are?) boots on the ground in Venezuela. How does she think they snatched up Maduro?
In any event: The key question (obvious by now) is not whether Trump needs Congressional approval but what Susan Collins will do if he doesn't get it. (Absolutely nothing.) #MEpolitics
In any event: The key question (obvious by now) is not whether Trump needs Congressional approval but what Susan Collins will do if he doesn't get it. (Absolutely nothing.) #MEpolitics
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, tells me Trump would need Congress’ approval to put US troops in Venezuela: “To put boots on the ground? In my opinion, yes.”
She adds: “If you're talking long-term commitment as opposed to responding to an emergency, or doing a very limited operation, as was the case.”
She adds: “If you're talking long-term commitment as opposed to responding to an emergency, or doing a very limited operation, as was the case.”
January 6, 2026 at 1:28 AM
I mean there were (are?) boots on the ground in Venezuela. How does she think they snatched up Maduro?
In any event: The key question (obvious by now) is not whether Trump needs Congressional approval but what Susan Collins will do if he doesn't get it. (Absolutely nothing.) #MEpolitics
In any event: The key question (obvious by now) is not whether Trump needs Congressional approval but what Susan Collins will do if he doesn't get it. (Absolutely nothing.) #MEpolitics
One way you know it's an election year? Susan Collins suddenly voting against obscure Trump nominees to reduce her 96% vote-with-Trump stat. (Hasn't voted no on any Trump noms since...July?)
Same thing happened in 2020 -- after she backed every single Trump judicial nominee in 2017-18. #MEpolitics
Same thing happened in 2020 -- after she backed every single Trump judicial nominee in 2017-18. #MEpolitics
By a vote of 50-35, the #Senate confirmed Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
GOP Senator Collins voted against.
GOP Senator Collins voted against.
January 5, 2026 at 11:23 PM
One way you know it's an election year? Susan Collins suddenly voting against obscure Trump nominees to reduce her 96% vote-with-Trump stat. (Hasn't voted no on any Trump noms since...July?)
Same thing happened in 2020 -- after she backed every single Trump judicial nominee in 2017-18. #MEpolitics
Same thing happened in 2020 -- after she backed every single Trump judicial nominee in 2017-18. #MEpolitics
Has Susan Collins attended a single event open to the public since August?
I don't mean a town hall -- she obviously won't do that. I mean any event AT ALL where Mainers who didn't invite her for a photo-op or pay to be in the room with her etc wound up within shouting distance? #MEpolitics
I don't mean a town hall -- she obviously won't do that. I mean any event AT ALL where Mainers who didn't invite her for a photo-op or pay to be in the room with her etc wound up within shouting distance? #MEpolitics
Pretty solid turn out to oppose Collins in Searsport.
January 5, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Has Susan Collins attended a single event open to the public since August?
I don't mean a town hall -- she obviously won't do that. I mean any event AT ALL where Mainers who didn't invite her for a photo-op or pay to be in the room with her etc wound up within shouting distance? #MEpolitics
I don't mean a town hall -- she obviously won't do that. I mean any event AT ALL where Mainers who didn't invite her for a photo-op or pay to be in the room with her etc wound up within shouting distance? #MEpolitics
If an unpopular Dem president was wagging the dog to distract from an underage sex trafficking scandal and a weakening economy, does anyone think Senate Republicans would back unanimous consent requests -- allowing Democrats to pass bills instantly without even a recorded vote? #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 10:44 PM
If an unpopular Dem president was wagging the dog to distract from an underage sex trafficking scandal and a weakening economy, does anyone think Senate Republicans would back unanimous consent requests -- allowing Democrats to pass bills instantly without even a recorded vote? #MEpolitics
Susan Collins was deeply complicit in the Iraq debacle; she was a pivotal player in the shredding of reproductive freedom in the US; and she was a crucial vote -- over the objections of Maine doctors -- to make Americans more vulnerable to deadly disease.
That's her legacy. #MEpolitics
That's her legacy. #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Susan Collins was deeply complicit in the Iraq debacle; she was a pivotal player in the shredding of reproductive freedom in the US; and she was a crucial vote -- over the objections of Maine doctors -- to make Americans more vulnerable to deadly disease.
That's her legacy. #MEpolitics
That's her legacy. #MEpolitics
This one section of Susan Collins's super PAC b-roll -- where she pretends to be lobstering but instead looks like she's about to fall off the boat -- is pretty wild. tinyurl.com/ypr95vk3 #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
This one section of Susan Collins's super PAC b-roll -- where she pretends to be lobstering but instead looks like she's about to fall off the boat -- is pretty wild. tinyurl.com/ypr95vk3 #MEpolitics
Impressive showing on short notice in Susan Collins's (metaphorical) backyard. #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Impressive showing on short notice in Susan Collins's (metaphorical) backyard. #MEpolitics
This isn't even our beat and yes -- the country has way bigger problems politically. But all the more reason to draw a line in the sand here:
Angus King III has no business being governor. Period. His daddy's the only reason he's even in the conversation.
Enough with this nonsense. #MEpolitics
Angus King III has no business being governor. Period. His daddy's the only reason he's even in the conversation.
Enough with this nonsense. #MEpolitics
Okay who's on board for making this a thing? #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This isn't even our beat and yes -- the country has way bigger problems politically. But all the more reason to draw a line in the sand here:
Angus King III has no business being governor. Period. His daddy's the only reason he's even in the conversation.
Enough with this nonsense. #MEpolitics
Angus King III has no business being governor. Period. His daddy's the only reason he's even in the conversation.
Enough with this nonsense. #MEpolitics
Okay who's on board for making this a thing? #MEpolitics
January 5, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Okay who's on board for making this a thing? #MEpolitics
Susan Collins maxed out to this person's campaign in 2024.
(In a functional media ecosystem, this would be an above-the-fold headline at all of Maine's prominent outlets and Collins's financial connection to Paul would be noted in the story.) #MEpolitics
(In a functional media ecosystem, this would be an above-the-fold headline at all of Maine's prominent outlets and Collins's financial connection to Paul would be noted in the story.) #MEpolitics
January 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Susan Collins maxed out to this person's campaign in 2024.
(In a functional media ecosystem, this would be an above-the-fold headline at all of Maine's prominent outlets and Collins's financial connection to Paul would be noted in the story.) #MEpolitics
(In a functional media ecosystem, this would be an above-the-fold headline at all of Maine's prominent outlets and Collins's financial connection to Paul would be noted in the story.) #MEpolitics
Graham Platner implicitly calling out Janet Mills, whose initial statement on Venezuela (tinyurl.com/ycxrrcwu) adopted the 'invasion is bad, however' formulation he disparages here.
(Her second statement -- tinyurl.com/yj2euc4a -- was better in our view.) #MEpolitics
(Her second statement -- tinyurl.com/yj2euc4a -- was better in our view.) #MEpolitics
The illegal attack on Venezuela is not foreign policy; it’s gangsterism on an international scale.
January 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Graham Platner implicitly calling out Janet Mills, whose initial statement on Venezuela (tinyurl.com/ycxrrcwu) adopted the 'invasion is bad, however' formulation he disparages here.
(Her second statement -- tinyurl.com/yj2euc4a -- was better in our view.) #MEpolitics
(Her second statement -- tinyurl.com/yj2euc4a -- was better in our view.) #MEpolitics