BREWER, Maine – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R) delivered an extended address to attendees at the Penobscot Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day dinner, urging Republicans to stay engaged at every level of government while warning about what she described as coordinated political efforts by Democrats to reshape the country.
Speaking to party activists and elected officials, Collins emphasized the importance of Republican involvement from the county level to Washington, D.C.
“We need to work as hard as we can to counter the very organized threat from the radical left”, Collins said to the audience.
Collins noted that she is now the only Republican serving in either the U.S. House or Senate from all of New England, calling the situation troubling and pointing to what she described as the region’s shift away from Republican representation.
“I am now the sole Republican left in either the House or the Senate in all of New England,” Collins said. “That’s terrible.”
She reflected on past years when Republicans held federal offices across multiple New England states, noting that the current political landscape has left her as the lone Republican voice from the region in Congress.
Calls for Support of LePage in CD2
During her remarks, Collins strongly urged Republicans to unite behind former Maine Governor Paul LePage, who is running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
“It is absolutely essential that we elect Paul for the second,” Collins said, referring to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. “I need some help.”
She also acknowledged Republican leaders and candidates in attendance and encouraged voters to support GOP candidates at all levels of government, including governor, Legislature, and county offices.
Campaign Spending and Democratic Primary Context
Collins also addressed campaign spending dynamics, telling attendees that groups aligned with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had spent $4 million in one week to run attack ads against her.
“Chuck Schumer’s groups put this week $4 million in negative ads in one week,” Collins said. “The Democrats are having a meltdown.”
She contrasted that spending with what she described as significantly smaller expenditures against Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner.
“Janet is spending $100,000 against him, $4 million versus $100,000,” Collins said.
Collins referenced the Democratic primary between Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner, presenting it as an early sign of the political fight taking shape ahead of the general election.
She told supporters that she has been a frequent target of Democratic opposition spending in prior elections and said she expects continued attacks in the upcoming campaign.
“I’ll tell you, I am his number one threat,” Collins said, referencing Schumer. “I’ve been number one for three separate elections, and guess what,with your help, we won.”
Focus on Transgender Athlete Policy
Collins also discussed a recent Senate vote addressing whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in girls’ and women’s sports, describing the issue as a clear difference between Republicans and Democrats.
“My friends, this is not a hard issue,” Collins said. “The answer is no. This is a matter of fairness.”
She said every Republican in the Senate voted to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, while Democrats and independents voted the other way.
Collins connected the issue to her own upbringing, recalling a time before Title IX expanded athletic opportunities for girls.
“I grew up right before Title IX was passed,” Collins said. “In my high school in Caribou there were no competitive girls sports.”
She added that allowing biological males to compete in female sports would undermine fairness for female athletes.
“That’s not fair. It’s not right,” Collins said.
Student Exchange Highlights Republican Principles
Collins also shared an anecdote from a recent meeting in Washington with a group of students visiting from a Maine college. She said one student asked her why she is a Republican.
“I am a Republican because I believe in personal responsibility,” Collins said. “I am a Republican because I believe in the dignity of work.”
She continued by outlining additional beliefs she said define her political philosophy.
“I support our small businesses and our entrepreneurs,” Collins said. “I believe in a strong national defense, and most of all, I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on earth.”
Warning About Direction of the Country
Throughout her speech, Collins warned that the country is at what she described as a crossroads and suggested Democratic candidates across the country are advancing similar agendas.
“This is not a coincidence,” Collins said. “It’s part of a plan to fundamentally change our country.”
She urged Republican voters to stand firm and support candidates who align with their priorities.
“We stand up and say this is not going to happen,” Collins said.
Closing Remarks
Collins concluded her address by thanking attendees for their support and reiterating her commitment to representing Maine in Washington.
“There is nobody who works harder for the state of Maine in Washington than I do,” Collins said. “I want to continue working hard for our wonderful state and for our great country.”
The Lincoln Day dinner drew Republican activists, candidates, and elected officials from across the region as Maine Republicans continue organizing for upcoming state and federal races.
