BANGOR, Maine — Collins for Senator released its first television advertisement of the 2026 campaign cycle, focusing on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ work to secure federal funding for the reconstruction of the Eastport Breakwater after its collapse in 2014.
The ad features Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority, who describes the impact of the breakwater’s collapse and Collins’ role in helping rebuild a critical piece of Washington County’s waterfront infrastructure.
The Eastport Breakwater collapsed in December 2014, bringing much of the city’s waterfront economy to a halt and threatening the livelihoods of commercial fishermen, lobstermen, cargo workers, and others who depend on a functioning harbor.
According to the campaign, Gardner received a call at 2:17 a.m. on the night of the collapse notifying him that the breakwater was gone. Before sunrise, he received another call, this one from Collins,who said she would do everything in her power to see it rebuilt.
Collins later secured a $6 million federal grant for the Port of Eastport. Combined with state and local contributions, the funding helped produce a new $15 million breakwater, built with composite materials designed to last for decades.
“The breakwater has long been a part of Eastport’s past,” Gardner says in the ad. “And with the help of Susan Collins, it will always be a part of our future as well. Thank you, Susan.”
The campaign framed the ad around affordability and economic security, arguing that the failure of critical infrastructure is not only a structural problem, but an economic crisis for working Mainers.
The Eastport Breakwater was originally built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1962 and was known as “The Million Dollar Pier.” It served the community for more than 50 years, far beyond its intended 20-year lifespan.
The breakwater is the foundation of the Port of Eastport, which supports commercial fishing, recreational boating, and cargo activity. It is also home to the United States Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The campaign said the project reflects Collins’ broader focus on infrastructure, jobs, and economic development in Maine.
“One of my highest priorities has always been to improve Maine’s infrastructure and to ensure that our state’s needs are met,” said Collins, who now serves as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. “These projects have the immediate benefit of keeping our skilled construction workers on the job. When complete, they help enhance safety, grow the economy, and create opportunity.”
Collins is running for re-election in 2026 on a record her campaign says is centered on delivering results for Maine, supporting working communities, strengthening infrastructure, and making life in the state more affordable.
