‘I’m proud of my record’: Sen. Collins says she’s looking forward to Senate race

PORTLAND (WGME) — If the polls are any indication, Graham Platner is the toughest challenger Senator Susan Collins has faced in the 30 years she’s held her Senate seat.

“I know now for certain, or pretty much for certain, who my opponent will be,” Collins said.

Collins toured York County’s new regional training center Friday, which she helped secure the funding to build.

As the first chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from Maine in nearly 100 years, she says she’s been able to bring $1.5 billion to Maine for more than 650 projects across the state.

It’s federal funding, she says, that paid to replace or renovate 45 Maine fire stations, support childcare centers and help rural hospitals stay open.

“I think every day about how we can make life more comfortable for people in Maine,” Platner said.

Platner blames billionaires, big corporations, President Donald Trump, Collins and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing struggles facing working families and small businesses in Maine.

“We need to beat Susan Collins,” Platner said.

CBS13 asked Collins if she felt Trump’s performance will cost her votes in November. She did not answer that directly but did say she’s not running on Trump’s record, but her own.

“I’m proud of my record and the accomplishments of what I’ve been able to do for Maine and for our country,” Collins said.

Collins says the Social Security Fairness Act she helped pass allows retired teachers and first responders to now get the Social Security they earned working in the private sector, along with their pensions.

“I can’t tell you how many retired employees have come up to me and said that it’s made the difference between a comfortable retirement and barely getting by,” Collins said.

They are two polar opposites in many ways, vying for a Senate seat where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“I look forward to what I hope will be a civil discussion of the important issues facing our country and the State of Maine,” Collins said.