Collins Watch
@collinswatch.bsky.social
Keeping an eye on Maine's senior senator and Maine politics since 2006. Send tips/thoughts to [email protected]. susancollinswatch.substack.com
Susan Collins thinks it's so important for this guy to continue to have a vote in the Senate that she's sent him $10,000 in the last year alone.
How many deranged, gutter bigots have you sent five-figure contributions to this year? #MEpolitics
How many deranged, gutter bigots have you sent five-figure contributions to this year? #MEpolitics
December 14, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Susan Collins thinks it's so important for this guy to continue to have a vote in the Senate that she's sent him $10,000 in the last year alone.
How many deranged, gutter bigots have you sent five-figure contributions to this year? #MEpolitics
How many deranged, gutter bigots have you sent five-figure contributions to this year? #MEpolitics
Dude wouldn't even tell reporters how he was going to vote on the red flag law referendum before it passed. Spare us. #MEpolitics
Last night, we witnessed yet another school shooting Brown University. Enough.
I have introduced or support several pieces of legislation to protect our communities, provide safe firearm storage and to limit rounds to prevent mass shootings. Let’s work together and get it done.
I have introduced or support several pieces of legislation to protect our communities, provide safe firearm storage and to limit rounds to prevent mass shootings. Let’s work together and get it done.
December 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Dude wouldn't even tell reporters how he was going to vote on the red flag law referendum before it passed. Spare us. #MEpolitics
Wild quote from Sen. Dick Durbin on elite Dems leveraging party orgs to sway primaries like Mills v Platner:
“Historically, we have tried to make sure there is a viable winner — potential winner — in the primary...It’s tricky because the local people may not agree with our conclusion.” #MEpolitics
“Historically, we have tried to make sure there is a viable winner — potential winner — in the primary...It’s tricky because the local people may not agree with our conclusion.” #MEpolitics
Platner courts progressives as Maine Senate race tightens
The liberal insurgent is wooing lawmakers and voters more aligned with the progressive wing as he seeks to triumph over Janet Mills.
tinyurl.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Wild quote from Sen. Dick Durbin on elite Dems leveraging party orgs to sway primaries like Mills v Platner:
“Historically, we have tried to make sure there is a viable winner — potential winner — in the primary...It’s tricky because the local people may not agree with our conclusion.” #MEpolitics
“Historically, we have tried to make sure there is a viable winner — potential winner — in the primary...It’s tricky because the local people may not agree with our conclusion.” #MEpolitics
Susan Collins-glorifying LTE from Janet Mills brother? Or is this a different Paul Mills? #awkward #MEpolitics
Letter: Thanks to Susan Collins for all she does for Aroostook County
“What stands out most to me is that Collins never forgets who she is working for.”
www.bangordailynews.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Susan Collins-glorifying LTE from Janet Mills brother? Or is this a different Paul Mills? #awkward #MEpolitics
Once Jared Golden leaves office and then runs for something else in 2028 or 2030 or whatever, there's bound to be an effort to rewrite his record. "He wasn't that bad," some will inevitably say.
Let's all please remind our future selves that's he was (is) in fact pretty bad! #MEpolitics
Let's all please remind our future selves that's he was (is) in fact pretty bad! #MEpolitics
7 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to prevent states from applying their own clean water laws to pipeline project reviews.
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
clerk.house.gov
December 13, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Once Jared Golden leaves office and then runs for something else in 2028 or 2030 or whatever, there's bound to be an effort to rewrite his record. "He wasn't that bad," some will inevitably say.
Let's all please remind our future selves that's he was (is) in fact pretty bad! #MEpolitics
Let's all please remind our future selves that's he was (is) in fact pretty bad! #MEpolitics
Someone woke up Planned Parenthood.
(You might think this means they're done sucking up to Susan Collins once and for all...but we wouldn't count on it.) #MEpolitics
(You might think this means they're done sucking up to Susan Collins once and for all...but we wouldn't count on it.) #MEpolitics
www.plannedparenthoodaction.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Someone woke up Planned Parenthood.
(You might think this means they're done sucking up to Susan Collins once and for all...but we wouldn't count on it.) #MEpolitics
(You might think this means they're done sucking up to Susan Collins once and for all...but we wouldn't count on it.) #MEpolitics
This headline is literally and patently false. @pressherald.com is a mess, at least on anything that touches Susan Collins. #MEpolitics @joelawlorph.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This headline is literally and patently false. @pressherald.com is a mess, at least on anything that touches Susan Collins. #MEpolitics @joelawlorph.bsky.social
Yesterday a poll came out showing Graham Platner in trouble with older voters and female voters...and now he's wearing a suit and throwing shade at Sen. John Fetterman.
What a difference a day makes? #MEpolitics
What a difference a day makes? #MEpolitics
December 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Yesterday a poll came out showing Graham Platner in trouble with older voters and female voters...and now he's wearing a suit and throwing shade at Sen. John Fetterman.
What a difference a day makes? #MEpolitics
What a difference a day makes? #MEpolitics
Naturally, the local NBC affiliate's headline on the ACA votes highlights that Susan Collins voted FOR extending the subsidies while omitting the fact that she also voted AGAINST extending them.
This is how we got here. #MEpolitics
This is how we got here. #MEpolitics
December 11, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Naturally, the local NBC affiliate's headline on the ACA votes highlights that Susan Collins voted FOR extending the subsidies while omitting the fact that she also voted AGAINST extending them.
This is how we got here. #MEpolitics
This is how we got here. #MEpolitics
Looking forward to press coverage of Susan Collins votes today to both kill ACA tax credits/send premiums soaring AND to extend those very same tax credits.
What are the chance that even one article in the beltway or Maine press so much as hints at the incoherence of her tired shtick? #MEpolitics
What are the chance that even one article in the beltway or Maine press so much as hints at the incoherence of her tired shtick? #MEpolitics
December 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Looking forward to press coverage of Susan Collins votes today to both kill ACA tax credits/send premiums soaring AND to extend those very same tax credits.
What are the chance that even one article in the beltway or Maine press so much as hints at the incoherence of her tired shtick? #MEpolitics
What are the chance that even one article in the beltway or Maine press so much as hints at the incoherence of her tired shtick? #MEpolitics
In a healthy media ecosystem, Susan Collins gaslighting @mainepublic.org into telling readers nearly the opposite of the truth (Collins ultimately voted for the same bill as King) would prompt some reflection and corrective action.
Not holding our breath. #MEpolitics @stevemistler.bsky.social
Not holding our breath. #MEpolitics @stevemistler.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
In a healthy media ecosystem, Susan Collins gaslighting @mainepublic.org into telling readers nearly the opposite of the truth (Collins ultimately voted for the same bill as King) would prompt some reflection and corrective action.
Not holding our breath. #MEpolitics @stevemistler.bsky.social
Not holding our breath. #MEpolitics @stevemistler.bsky.social
Susan Collins votes for the GOP plan to kill the very ACA subsidies she keeps telling us she supports.
The bill, which would push millions into expensive high deductible plans, would also make abortion coverage unattainable for millions of women.
All fine by Collins, apparently. #MEpolitics
The bill, which would push millions into expensive high deductible plans, would also make abortion coverage unattainable for millions of women.
All fine by Collins, apparently. #MEpolitics
By a vote of 51-48, the #Senate did not invoke cloture on the MTP to S.3386, a bill to provide a health savings account contribution to certain enrollees, to reduce health care costs, and for other purposes (Crapo/Cassidy).
GOP Senator Paul voted no
Senator Daines did not vote
GOP Senator Paul voted no
Senator Daines did not vote
December 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Susan Collins votes for the GOP plan to kill the very ACA subsidies she keeps telling us she supports.
The bill, which would push millions into expensive high deductible plans, would also make abortion coverage unattainable for millions of women.
All fine by Collins, apparently. #MEpolitics
The bill, which would push millions into expensive high deductible plans, would also make abortion coverage unattainable for millions of women.
All fine by Collins, apparently. #MEpolitics
On Monday, Susan Collins put out a bill with $25/month premiums; yesterday she wouldn't take a position on a clean extension one way or the other; and now she's talking about a $5/month minimum.
She's just making up crap up as she goes along. Whatever this is, it's not representation. #MEpolitics
She's just making up crap up as she goes along. Whatever this is, it's not representation. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins says she wants people to pay at least a $5/month premium, despite her own bill with Bernie Moreno saying $25/month
www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/p...
December 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On Monday, Susan Collins put out a bill with $25/month premiums; yesterday she wouldn't take a position on a clean extension one way or the other; and now she's talking about a $5/month minimum.
She's just making up crap up as she goes along. Whatever this is, it's not representation. #MEpolitics
She's just making up crap up as she goes along. Whatever this is, it's not representation. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins has been in the Senate since 1997 (and in DC since the 1970s) and just before a vote to prevent a massive hike in health care costs for millions, including 60,000+ Mainers, she still can't (or won't) tell folks which side she's on.
Think about that. #MEpolitics
Think about that. #MEpolitics
Hours before the Senate is set to votes on a clean extension of ACA subsidies that Susan Collins has said oughta be extended, here's the start of the very LAST sentence of PPH's article:
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
ACA tax credits are set to expire. What is Maine’s congressional delegation doing?
Prospects for a deal among Democrats and Republicans are uncertain ahead of a key vote in the Senate on Thursday.
www.pressherald.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Susan Collins has been in the Senate since 1997 (and in DC since the 1970s) and just before a vote to prevent a massive hike in health care costs for millions, including 60,000+ Mainers, she still can't (or won't) tell folks which side she's on.
Think about that. #MEpolitics
Think about that. #MEpolitics
Reposted by Collins Watch
Janet Mills could make this less common by rescinding a LePage executive order that requires state police to work with immigration enforcement. She could even put a new one out to limit it.
So far, she’s refused to do either and things like this keep happening #mepolitics
So far, she’s refused to do either and things like this keep happening #mepolitics
He waited 40 minutes for a ticket from Maine State Police, then spent 2 months in a Texas immigration facility
He waited 40 minutes for a ticket from Maine State Police, then spent 2 months in a Texas immigration facility Maine immigrant released on bond by Texas immigration judge
Lucas and Laura Segóbia say they spent tens of thousands of dollars to get Lucas released on bond months after a trooper called Border Patrol at a traffic stop.
www.pressherald.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Janet Mills could make this less common by rescinding a LePage executive order that requires state police to work with immigration enforcement. She could even put a new one out to limit it.
So far, she’s refused to do either and things like this keep happening #mepolitics
So far, she’s refused to do either and things like this keep happening #mepolitics
If only she knew someone who could do something about it. #MEpolitics
December 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
If only she knew someone who could do something about it. #MEpolitics
Seriously? Why's Graham Platner holding a lobbyist-hosted DC fundraiser?
"Todd Webster...lobbied for Google parent Alphabet...is listed on the invitation as a host. Another one is former Senate aide Andrew Usyk, who has lobbied for private equity firms including The Carlyle Group." #MEpolitics
"Todd Webster...lobbied for Google parent Alphabet...is listed on the invitation as a host. Another one is former Senate aide Andrew Usyk, who has lobbied for private equity firms including The Carlyle Group." #MEpolitics
Graham Platner holds lobbyist-studded DC fundraiser
High-dollar fundraisers will be a part of every campaign for one of the nation’s most hotly contested Senate seats.
www.bangordailynews.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Seriously? Why's Graham Platner holding a lobbyist-hosted DC fundraiser?
"Todd Webster...lobbied for Google parent Alphabet...is listed on the invitation as a host. Another one is former Senate aide Andrew Usyk, who has lobbied for private equity firms including The Carlyle Group." #MEpolitics
"Todd Webster...lobbied for Google parent Alphabet...is listed on the invitation as a host. Another one is former Senate aide Andrew Usyk, who has lobbied for private equity firms including The Carlyle Group." #MEpolitics
Hours before the Senate is set to votes on a clean extension of ACA subsidies that Susan Collins has said oughta be extended, here's the start of the very LAST sentence of PPH's article:
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
ACA tax credits are set to expire. What is Maine’s congressional delegation doing?
Prospects for a deal among Democrats and Republicans are uncertain ahead of a key vote in the Senate on Thursday.
www.pressherald.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Hours before the Senate is set to votes on a clean extension of ACA subsidies that Susan Collins has said oughta be extended, here's the start of the very LAST sentence of PPH's article:
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
"Collins said she’s not committed to voting for or against the three-year extension."
Such jokers. #MEpolitics
Graham Planter up with an issue contrast post (at least an implicit one) between him and Mills on the filibuster. Interesting timing! #MEpolitics
Proud to be the only candidate in the race that wants to get rid of the filibuster and get things done in D.C.
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Graham Planter up with an issue contrast post (at least an implicit one) between him and Mills on the filibuster. Interesting timing! #MEpolitics
We don't do endorsements...but you people have no idea how close we are to launching a 'Don't Rank Nepo Angus' super PAC. #MEpolitics
December 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
We don't do endorsements...but you people have no idea how close we are to launching a 'Don't Rank Nepo Angus' super PAC. #MEpolitics
New independent poll has Mills +10% over Platner in the primary. These things sure are all over the map!
Not sure why you'd poll likely *general election* voters rather than likely *primary* voters...but anyway this is one more data point to throw into the mix. tinyurl.com/334z3a5p #MEpolitics
Not sure why you'd poll likely *general election* voters rather than likely *primary* voters...but anyway this is one more data point to throw into the mix. tinyurl.com/334z3a5p #MEpolitics
December 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
New independent poll has Mills +10% over Platner in the primary. These things sure are all over the map!
Not sure why you'd poll likely *general election* voters rather than likely *primary* voters...but anyway this is one more data point to throw into the mix. tinyurl.com/334z3a5p #MEpolitics
Not sure why you'd poll likely *general election* voters rather than likely *primary* voters...but anyway this is one more data point to throw into the mix. tinyurl.com/334z3a5p #MEpolitics
Meanwhile @pressherald.com and @mainepublic.org copied and pasted Susan Collins nonsense about her fake plan, presenting it to readers as a legit proposal rather than an optics-driven farce.
These folks know better. Not clueing readers in -- not being straight with them -- is a choice. #MEpolitics
These folks know better. Not clueing readers in -- not being straight with them -- is a choice. #MEpolitics
December 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Meanwhile @pressherald.com and @mainepublic.org copied and pasted Susan Collins nonsense about her fake plan, presenting it to readers as a legit proposal rather than an optics-driven farce.
These folks know better. Not clueing readers in -- not being straight with them -- is a choice. #MEpolitics
These folks know better. Not clueing readers in -- not being straight with them -- is a choice. #MEpolitics
Neat to spot the parallels btwn how Lander presents himself in this announcement video for his insurgent primary challenge in NYC (vs Goldman) and the vibes behind Matt Dunlap's CD2 effort.
Both are folksy, experienced non-firebrands. But both get the hunger for fighters in this moment. #MEpolitics
Both are folksy, experienced non-firebrands. But both get the hunger for fighters in this moment. #MEpolitics
I’m running for Congress because we need leaders who will fight, not fold. I recognize this moment, and I’m ready to meet it. #FightDontFold #LanderForNYC #LanderForCongress
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Neat to spot the parallels btwn how Lander presents himself in this announcement video for his insurgent primary challenge in NYC (vs Goldman) and the vibes behind Matt Dunlap's CD2 effort.
Both are folksy, experienced non-firebrands. But both get the hunger for fighters in this moment. #MEpolitics
Both are folksy, experienced non-firebrands. But both get the hunger for fighters in this moment. #MEpolitics
Stopped clock alert: Even someone as establishment-hugging as @pressherald.com columnist Steve Collins gets that Janet Mills's current campaign posture/strategy is out of step with the Democratic base. (And that's before you even get to her support for keeping the filibuster.) #MEpolitics
Janet Mills needs to wake up and start fighting | Column
Unless she corrects course, the governor's Senate campaign is headed for disaster.
www.pressherald.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Stopped clock alert: Even someone as establishment-hugging as @pressherald.com columnist Steve Collins gets that Janet Mills's current campaign posture/strategy is out of step with the Democratic base. (And that's before you even get to her support for keeping the filibuster.) #MEpolitics
Such BS spin from Portland Press Herald. Worse than useless.
If Susan Collins really supported extending the ACA tax credits she would've come out in favor of a clean extension.
That she hasn't done so -- and put out a different DOA plan 2 days before the vote -- says it all. Sheesh. #MEpolitics
If Susan Collins really supported extending the ACA tax credits she would've come out in favor of a clean extension.
That she hasn't done so -- and put out a different DOA plan 2 days before the vote -- says it all. Sheesh. #MEpolitics
December 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Such BS spin from Portland Press Herald. Worse than useless.
If Susan Collins really supported extending the ACA tax credits she would've come out in favor of a clean extension.
That she hasn't done so -- and put out a different DOA plan 2 days before the vote -- says it all. Sheesh. #MEpolitics
If Susan Collins really supported extending the ACA tax credits she would've come out in favor of a clean extension.
That she hasn't done so -- and put out a different DOA plan 2 days before the vote -- says it all. Sheesh. #MEpolitics