Susan Collins brings federal dollars to Maine. She's hoping that's worth it to voters

The Maine Senate race could hinge on voter preferences between Republican Susan Collins’ influence and ability to bring federal dollars to the state and Democratic insurgent Graham Platner’s push to upend a system he says disadvantages working-class Americans. Platner’s campaign centers on a political revolution and has already helped remove Gov. Janet Mills from the race. As the contest moves toward November, Collins is emphasizing traditional pork-barrel politics, including highlighting specific federal wins such as funding for an Eastport breakwater dock. Collins plans to leverage her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, described as a rare opportunity, and argues that it would be lost with a freshman senator. Platner’s campaign seeks to acknowledge her position while arguing that Mainers would see diminishing benefits.

"The outcome of a pivotal Senate race in Maine could hinge on whether voters value Republican Sen. Susan Collins' clout and ability to secure federal dollars over Democratic insurgent Graham Platner's call to upend a political system he says is rigged against working-class Americans. Platner's call for a political revolution has been a centerpiece of a barnstorming campaign that's already pushed his Democratic rival, Gov. Janet Mills, out of the race."

"As the contest pivots to the November election, Collins is using old school pork barrel politics to win over voters who may be ambivalent about reelecting her to a sixth term. It's one of several sharp contrasts in a contest that could determine whether Republicans can maintain control of the Senate or if Democrats' difficult path to a majority will be successful."

"The incumbent Republican has already signaled that continuing to send federal dollars directly to Maine will be key to her reelection bid. The first ad of her campaign highlighted how she helped win federal money for a breakwater dock in Eastport, Maine, a locality with a population of just over 1,000. She also plans to use her position as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the first Maine senator to hold the key budgeting position in more than 90 years."

"She recently described the post as a "once in a century" opportunity and said that she plans to run on it. "And that will go away with a freshman senator," she said after taking questions at a manufacturing conference in the state. "It took me years to climb the ladder of seniority." So far, Platner's campaign is trying to simultaneously acknowledge the importance of Collins' position while charting diminishing results for Mainers."

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