How Maine's longest-serving senator became a pivotal, often unpredictable, force in Washington politics
In short: Susan Collins has spent nearly three decades in the U.S. Senate, carving out a reputation as a moderate Republican willing to break with her party. From casting deciding votes on Supreme Court nominees to navigating impeachment trials, she remains a central, if sometimes polarizing, figure in American legislative history.
Born in Caribou, Maine, in 1952, Collins entered the Senate in 1997 after a career in state and federal administration. Her political identity is defined by her position as a centrist in a shifting Republican landscape. She is the only Republican currently holding statewide office in Maine and has frequently served as a crucial swing vote, often prioritizing institutional norms like the 60-vote filibuster threshold over strict party alignment.
Her legislative record reflects this independent streak. She was one of three Republicans to oppose the partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the only member of her party to vote against the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Conversely, she supported the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, a decision that drew significant public scrutiny given her pro-choice stance. Her approach to high-stakes moments, such as the impeachment trials of Donald Trump, has seen her move from acquittal in his first trial to voting for conviction on charges of inciting insurrection in the second.
Beyond high-profile votes, Collins has been a key architect of complex policy, including the 2004 intelligence overhaul that established the Director of National Intelligence. Her influence is bolstered by her longevity; in 2021, she became the longest-serving Republican woman in Senate history. Despite facing intense electoral pressure—most notably in 2020, when she defeated Sara Gideon in the most expensive race in Maine's history—she has maintained a consistent, if occasionally contentious, presence in the upper chamber.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Susan Collins
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