Our Senatorial race is garnering national attention.  Huge amounts of money are flowing into both major campaigns.   Why?

In this, perhaps the most important election of our lifetime, the outcome of our Senatorial race can have major effects on how our nation will be governed going forward, and on the issues the government chooses to prioritize.  One issue being attended to above all else these days is the confirmation of federal judges.

The judiciary is supposed to be independent, charged with protecting and upholding the law.  Partisan politics are supposed to take a back seat.  Let’s consider the candidates positions re: the judiciary.

In the most recent debate (Oct.15), Sara Gideon emphasized that judges MUST be qualified, must have a temperament suited to their position, and respect precedent.

She described the need to be qualified as “a low bar”.

Susan Collins voted to confirm judicial nominees 95% of the time.  In the past, she voted to confirm Barack Obama’s appointees.  

But times have changed.  Unqualified candidates are being put forward and confirmed, weakening the judicial branch.  Susan Collins has continued her pattern of voting “yes” even if the candidate is rated “unqualified” by the American Bar Association.  She hasn’t changed and evolved with changing times.  She voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, an anti-abortion candidate, in 2017.  She voted for Brett Kavanaugh,  who exhibited a questionable temperament (to say the least) at his hearing.

From her voting record, Susan Collins shows me that she is no longer supporting and protecting the judicial branch, whose members MUST be qualified, have temperaments that are even, compassionate and kind, and who respect precedent.  

For this reason, I will be voting for Sara Gideon for Senate.  Please join me!

Deborah Capwell lives in Belfast