Susan Collins

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says she is running because "experience, seniority and independence matter" for Maine.[1]
• Describes herself as someone who works with both parties, writing that "True leaders bring both sides together to seek common ground."[1]
• Points to her role as Appropriations chair, citing about $1.5 billion in congressionally directed spending for projects in all 16 Maine counties since 2021.[1],[5]
• Lists lowering the costs of food, housing, health care, energy and child care among her priorities, along with rural health care and Maine's farming, fishing and forestry industries.[1]
• Cites legislation her campaign says she authored, including the Paycheck Protection Program and the Social Security Fairness Act.[5]

Background

• U.S. Senator, United States Senate (Maine) · 1997–present[3],[4]
• Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee · 2025–present[4],[5]
• Founding Executive Director, Center for Family Business, Husson College · 1994–1996[3],[4]
• Republican nominee for Governor of Maine, 1994 Maine gubernatorial election · 1994[4]
• Deputy State Treasurer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts · 1993[4]
• New England Regional Director, U.S. Small Business Administration · 1992[3],[4]
• Commissioner, Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation · Appointed 1987[3],[4]
• Legislative staff, including Senate subcommittee staff director, Office of U.S. Rep., later Sen., William Cohen · 1975–1987[3],[4]

Education

• B.A., Government, St. Lawrence University (1975)[3],[4]

Where they stand

• Health Care
  Voted against the 2025 reconciliation bill (H.R. 1), citing its effect on Medicaid, including an estimated $5.9 billion less for Maine over a decade and risks to rural hospitals, while saying she supported its tax relief.[6]
• Health Care
  Supported extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, with income limits ($100,000 for individuals, $200,000 for families) and anti-fraud safeguards.[7]
• Health Care
  Opposes Medicare for All, saying it would be a government takeover leading to longer waits; says she proposed the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program in the 2025 budget negotiations.[10],[12]
• Economy & Jobs
  Says tariffs on Canada, Maine's closest trading partner, threaten jobs and raise costs; joined a bipartisan group of senators introducing the CANADA Act to exempt U.S.-owned small businesses from those tariffs.[8]
• Abortion
  Supports abortion rights; in 2022 co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Lisa Murkowski to put the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law. In 2018 she voted to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh.[9],[19]
• Immigration
  Says ICE needs reform but should not be abolished, pointing to a bill she advanced with funding for body cameras, training and inspectors general.[10]
• Energy & Environment
  With Sen. Angus King, asked the president in September 2026 to release heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve as prices rose.[11]
• Social Security & Medicare
  Her campaign says she authored the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law in 2025, which restored full benefits for some public-sector retirees.[5]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

In their words