On conservatism, compassion and Susan Collins | Letter
A former Maine Republican has urged voters to cast their ballots against Senate candidate Susan Collins in the upcoming 2026 election after a letter to the editor in The Press Herald revealed a sharp shift in his political allegiance.
The letter, signed by 76‑year‑old Paul Willis, who now resides in Gorham/Palm City, Florida, details Willis’s decades of Republican loyalty and the growing sense of disillusionment that has led him to abandon support for the senator. “George H. W. Bush’s self‑characterization as a ‘compassionate conservative’ very much resonated with me,” Willis wrote. “Soon after, however, Dan Quayle’s entry into the picture made me question whether the party could actually put forth the ‘best and brightest,’ or if greater powers were ruling the party.”
Willis says he held off leaving the party because of Collins’ reputation as a moderate. “Although disenchanted, I held off dropping my Republican affiliation for several years—only because of Sen. Susan Collins,” he wrote. “Sadly, it is painfully clear to me that I can no longer, in good faith, vote for Collins. I feel that a vote for Collins is a vote for President Trump and his hateful, corrupt, ill‑advised policies.”
The letter ends with a plea to voters: “Let’s thank Susan Collins for all of her efforts on behalf of the state of Maine and its people, then vote her out of office and try to save the United States from further devastation.”
Susan Collins, a Republican since 1997, has long been known for her bipartisan approach, including her pivotal vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and her refusal to support President Trump’s 2020 re‑election campaign. The 2026 election will be the first time she faces a competitive primary, and her seat is a focal point for both parties.
Willis’ letter reflects a broader trend of Republican voters growing uneasy with the party’s perceived shift toward more polarizing positions. The Press Herald’s editorial board has called the letter “a personal testimony” that highlights the complexities of state politics as the nation heads toward its midterm elections.
The 2026 election cycle has already drawn national attention, with analysts pointing to the Republican Party’s internal rifts and the evolving electorate in Maine. Willis’s public declaration, published in the Press Herald this month, is expected to resonate with voters who share his concerns, as the campaign season accelerates in the coming weeks.
For those who wish to view the original letter in full, it remains available online in the Press Herald’s archive under the “letter to the editor” section.
