It’s not about the quantity of Collins’ votes, it’s about the quality | Letter
Brunswick resident questions Sen. Susan Collins’ support for Trump‑appointed judges
Brunswick, Maine – In a letter to the editor of The Press‑Herald, 59‑year‑old Ervin Snyder of Brunswick asked state voters to look more closely at Senator Susan Collins’ record on federal judicial nominations. The letter, posted early in 2026, focuses on Collins’ votes that confirmed several Trump‑appointed judges, including former Florida district court judge Aileen Cannon.
Snyder, who has written to the paper several times over the years, said that Mainers deserve “more than a rubber stamp” when the U.S. Senate approves nominations that shape the federal judiciary. He pointed out that Collins has often highlighted her flawless attendance record in the Senate, but argued that the quality of the votes matters more than the number of votes cast.
“The Senate’s power to confirm judges is a weighty responsibility,” Snyder wrote. “When a senator votes to confirm a judge who later serves on a court, it is not simply a matter of tallying a yes or no. It is about the long‑term impact on the legal system.” He named the 2018 confirmation of Aileen Cannon as a key example, noting that Cannon had served as a Florida district judge before her federal appointment.
Collins has been a Republican senator since 1997 and has repeatedly positioned herself as a moderate voice on national politics. Her supporters say her attendance record and her willingness to break with party lines on issues such as the 2020 presidential election certification demonstrate independence. Critics, however, argue that her voting record on judicial nominations aligns with former President Trump’s agenda.
The letter came as Maine’s 2026 election cycle intensifies. Voters in the state will soon face questions about who will represent them in the U.S. Senate and how that senator will approach issues ranging from federal appointments to domestic policy. Snyder’s criticism of Collins’ judicial confirmation record is part of a broader conversation among Maine residents about the qualities they want in their national leaders.
Snyder’s letter was published in The Press‑Herald online. The paper notes that readers can stay up to date on Maine politics through its Maine Political Report newsletters and text‑message alerts.
