The facts about her ties to special interests, how she’s abandoned past principles and her decision to vote in line with President Trump clouded the announcement that Senator Susan Collins is running for reelection. This was not the campaign launch she was looking for:

 

TUESDAY: FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY A THING OF THE PAST

 

On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that Senator Collins’ views on fairness and impartiality have shifted during her 22 years in Washington. In a video uncovered this week, Senator Collins insisted that she needed “witnesses and further evidence” “to get to the truth” during the 1999 impeachment trial. Two decades later, Collins is a juror in another impeachment trial, but she seems to have abandoned her previous commitment to finding the truth. As Mitch McConnell brags about coordinating with the president’s lawyers on strategy and admits point-blank that he has no intention of remaining impartial as he conducts this trial, Collins has been meeting with the White House and refusing to speak out for a fair and transparent hearing of evidence.

 

WEDNESDAY: THREATENING HEALTH CARE PROTECTIONS

 

On Wednesday, as she launched her re-election bid, Senator Collins was faced once again with defending her record of voting to put crucial protections for Mainers at risk. Ruling on a lawsuit to end protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions made possible by Senator Collins’ vote on the tax bill, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals further endangered health care protections for millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Mainers.

 

THURSDAY: SHADY SPECIAL INTEREST BACKERS REVEALED

 

On Thursday, the Daily Beast reported on 1820 PAC, a shady super PAC funded by out-of-state, corporate interests that is supporting Senator Collins. Already, 1820 PAC has spent at least $700,000 on television ads supporting Senator Collins, with significant funding from corporate special interests and Wall Street billionaires. The reporting found that Senator Collins is “getting major air cover from a new super PAC designed to sound like a local group. But all signs point toward the involvement of the country’s biggest business lobbies 500 miles away in Washington, D.C.”

 

FRIDAY: TWO YEARS OF MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS TO CORPORATE BACKERS

 

On Friday, Senator Collins faced the two-year anniversary of her vote on the GOP tax bill. The bill — in addition to leading to the lawsuit threatening protections for pre-existing conditions — gave nearly $2 trillion to corporations and the wealthiest Americans, not hardworking Mainers. The Collins-backed bill gave $3 billion to Wells Fargo, $6 billion in tax breaks to Exxon, and $7 billion to the four largest pharmaceutical companies.

 

While Senator Collins only officially entered the race on Wednesday, it doesn’t seem like things are going to get any better for the four-term Senator anytime soon.

 

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