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While I never have voted — nor will I — for Sen. Susan Collins, I admit her success, in what is still a predominantly male body (women make up only 27% of the U.S. Senate), is commendable. She works hard; her staff are responsive to constituent needs; and she secures earmark funding for the state.
But, quite honestly, none of those qualities is particularly remarkable; each of Maine’s members of Congress do those things.
What is remarkable to me is that she has consistently voted for (95% of the time) the policies of President Donald Trump that have had such a devastating impact on our state, our nation, and the world. For example, since the start of Trump’s second term, Maine has lost $944 million of funding across multiple domains: healthcare, nutrition, transportation, environmental protection, etc. This is more than twice the amount of money Collins’ website says she has brought into the state in FY26 ($425 million). People who can no longer feed their families or access healthcare reap no benefits from many of the earmarks Collins has secured, even while non-Mainers, who have made enormous contributions to her campaign, have.
Her opponent, Troy Jackson, offers a stark and welcomed contrast. He will stand up to the devastating, often heartless, actions of Trump and his team. Jackson has a strong record of supporting reproductive rights, universal free school meals, expanded childcare affordability, paid family medical leave, among other policies that make life more affordable and equitable for all Mainers. Jackson will fight for all Mainers.
Sandy Butler
Orono