Collins’ 2018 Kavanaugh Vote Reemerges in Maine Senate Race as Democrats Target Roe Reversal
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 11
Collins’ 2018 Kavanaugh Vote Reemerges in Maine Senate Race as Democrats Target Roe Reversal
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 11
Summary
Susan Collins’ deciding 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh has become a central line of attack in Maine’s Senate race, with Democrat Graham Platner arguing it helped enable the 2022 5-4 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Platner revived the issue in his primary victory speech and on the trail, while Democratic groups see abortion as unusually potent in Maine because Collins is seeking re-election for the first time since Roe fell.
March polling by Senate Majority PAC found attacks tying Collins to the justices who overturned Roe were the second-most effective message with registered Democrats, behind healthcare and Medicaid cuts; the group is highly likely to run abortion ads.
Collins says she still believes she cast the right vote on Kavanaugh, though she later said he misled her about Roe being settled law; her campaign argues voters care more about current pressures than what it calls old attacks.
The race has also picked up a Kavanaugh-linked subplot: Platner’s ex-girlfriend, who accused him of physically threatening behavior he denies, previously helped found Ladies for Kavanaugh, fueling claims from his allies of a right-wing smear.
With both candidates facing trust issues, what now matters most to voters in a tight election?
Can a candidate's narrative of personal growth successfully overcome a well-documented and controversial past?
Maine’s 2026 Senate Showdown: Abortion, Economic Anxiety, and the Fight for Control of Congress
Overview
The 2026 Maine Senate race is a complex battleground where voter motivations are shaped by abortion rights, economic concerns, and the controversies surrounding the leading candidates. As Democrats aim to secure a Senate majority, the contest to unseat six-term Republican Senator Susan Collins is especially critical. Graham Platner has emerged as a populist challenger, despite facing personal controversies. The race centers on Collins’ judicial confirmation votes and Platner’s anti-establishment message, making voter decisions hinge on both policy issues and candidate character. This high-stakes election will reveal which concerns—reproductive rights, economic anxieties, or personal integrity—matter most to Maine’s electorate.