Collins Calls Out Media Over Platner Scrutiny after Portland Speech

U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks Thursday at the Maine Credit Union League’s Annual Convention in Portland, praising Maine’s credit unions for their long-standing role in supporting local families, protecting seniors from fraud, and investing in communities across the state.

Hundreds of employees and representatives from more than 40 Maine credit unions attended the annual gathering.

“For 88 years, the Maine Credit Union League has helped move our state forward. More than 750,000 individuals, families, and businesses are grateful for your commitment to their financial security and well-being,” Collins said. “Maine credit unions are valued partners of innovators, job creators, and the hard-working people of our state.”

During her remarks, Collins highlighted the industry’s growing role in combating financial scams targeting older Mainers. She pointed to Maine’s Senior$afe initiative, a first-in-the-nation program designed to train financial institution employees to identify warning signs of elder fraud and exploitation.

Collins later used the Maine-based initiative as the foundation for the bipartisan Senior Safe Act, federal legislation she authored that was signed into law in 2018.

The senator also recognized the Maine Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger, which raised nearly $1.5 million in 2025 and more than $16.3 million since the program began in 1990. She further applauded Maine credit unions for contributing a record 36,000 volunteer hours last year while continuing to provide financial education programs for students, senior citizens, and food pantry clients statewide.

Following her speech, Collins briefly spoke with reporters, including The Maine Wire, as Maine’s increasingly contentious U.S. Senate race continues to draw national attention.

During the media availability, The Maine Wire asked Collins about Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner and ongoing questions surrounding controversial public comments and allegations made by an ex-girlfriend that critics say have gone largely unanswered throughout the campaign.

The Maine Wire also raised concerns that much of Maine’s liberal media establishment has avoided aggressively questioning Platner about the controversy.

Collins agreed that tougher questions should be asked and criticized media outlets she believes have failed to properly scrutinize the Democratic nominee.

The exchange highlighted the sharpening political divide surrounding one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, where Collins is seeking another term against a Democratic challenger whose campaign has already generated significant controversy and national attention.