Senator Collins depicts herself as a moderate Republican. Analysis does not bear that out. According to CQ Roll Call ( a nonpartisan research group), in Trump’s current administration Collins voted with President’s Trump’s legislation 95% of the time. She did not fare any better in Trump’s first administration.

According to a 2019 article at the American Bridge organization's website, Collins voted 94% of the time with Trump, which was a 17% increase over her support of George Bush’s eight years in office, which Illustrates that she was becoming more radicalized in her voting, which unfortunately continues into the President’s second term.

Some of her decisive votes continue to demonstrate her allegiance to President Trump. For instance, she was the deciding vote to nominate Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. She was the deciding vote to advance Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill from the Appropriations Committee to the Senate floor, assuring passage, causing thousands of Mainers to lose healthcare, and resulting in 50,000 Maine citizens losing ACA tax credits, causing their premiums to rise dramatically.

When the Collins votes in opposition to Trump’s legislation, it is usually a forgone conclusion that the Bill would pass, and her vote is merely symbolic with no impact on the outcome of the voting.

For example, recently she voted against the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General. Blanche’s nomination was assured of passage before the vote was taken. She  supported impeaching President Trump during his first term, but it was a forgone conclusion that there were not enough votes to impeach the President. Senator Collins votes against Trump’s legislation when her vote is meaningless.

Democrats having a great opportunity to take control of the Senate in these midterm elections, and reign in President Trump’s agenda, which is gravely hurting Mainers. Our Senatorial election is one of four or five key races, which will decide control of the Senate.

We must elect Troy Jackson, who opposes President Trump’s  agenda, and not allow Susan Collins back to Washington to rubber-stamp Trump’s legislation another 95% of the time.

Rich Stuart lives in Thomaston