Susan Collins is too close to Trump | Letter
Maine Voters Urged to Consider Troy Jackson for Senate Amid Allegations Against Incumbent Senator Susan Collins
Portland, Maine – March 2026 – A letter to the editor in the Portland Press Herald called on Maine residents to support former state representative Troy Jackson in the upcoming U.S. Senate election, citing concerns over current Senator Susan Collins and alleged corruption involving former Navatek CEO Martin Kao.
In the letter, the writer—identified as “George Harlan” of Old Orchard Beach—argued that Collins has repeatedly voted for “right‑wing activist judges and dangerously unqualified cabinet secretaries.” The author added that Collins is “perpetually concerned” but, according to the letter, “continues to vote for” the types of officials that “endanger American democracy.”
The central allegation in the letter is that the investigation into a pay‑to‑play scheme involving Collins and Kao was deliberately shut down by the administration. Martin Kao, the former chief executive officer of the technology company Navatek, is currently in federal prison on corruption charges. The writer claimed that the investigation into the alleged scheme was “killed” by a “crooked administration.”
“Troy Jackson doesn’t owe this crooked administration anything and he will hold its feet to fire as the next senator for Maine.” The letter urges voters to elect Jackson, stating that he would “hold this dangerous, incredibly corrupt administration to account” and “defend American democracy from this administration’s ceaseless assault on our constitutional checks and balances.”
The letter does not name any specific actions by the administration that have “killed” the investigation, nor does it provide evidence beyond the claim that Collins’ voting record has been problematic. However, it does reference the broader context of political controversies surrounding the Senate seat.
Senator Collins, a Republican incumbent, has served Maine’s Class 2 Senate seat since 2013. She is known for her independent voting style, often breaking with her party on key issues. The allegations highlighted in the letter reflect a segment of the electorate’s frustration with her record and the broader political environment in the state.
Troy Jackson, who served as Maine’s state senator from 2012 to 2018 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2024, is a Democratic candidate for the 2026 election. He has positioned himself as a reformer who will confront corruption and restore accountability.
The letter, published on the Press Herald’s online platform, was written on behalf of voters who believe that the current administration’s actions—specifically the alleged suppression of the Collins‑Kao investigation—warrant a change in representation. While the letter’s author calls for a shift in policy direction, it does so in a partisan tone that aligns with broader debates over judicial appointments and executive appointments in Maine.
Maine’s electorate will have the opportunity to weigh these arguments in the forthcoming election. The State Board of Elections confirms that the next Senate race will be held on November 5, 2026. Candidates have begun to outline their platforms, and the debate over accountability and corruption allegations remains a key issue for voters across the state.
