U.S. Sen. Susan Collins gave her preference for Maine’s next governor on Thursday saying she plans to support the Republican nominee in November.
“Of course I’m going to be voting for Bobby Charles,” Collins said, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Charles, a lawyer and former lobbyist federal official, is facing Democrat Hannah Pingree, a former Maine House speaker and daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree. If Charles wins, it would be his first time holding elected office.
Collins, a Republican, is seeking a sixth Senate term in November against Troy Jackson, a pro-labor progressive Democrat and former Maine Senate president.
Collins endorsed Charles at an event in Naples for her own endorsement by the National Federation of Independent Business, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group for small and independent businesses.
Her comment came a day after Charles’ sister said she will not vote for him, citing his position on abortion and his friendship with disgraced former Republican U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who was accused of sexually abusing teenage boys.
Anita Charles said she plans to vote for Pingree. Bobby Charles called his sister’s political disagreements with him “fair game.”
