Susan Collins says she supports women. We saw otherwise. | Opinion

Senator Susan Collins’ 2018 Vote on Kavanaugh Followed a High‑Profile Testimony

A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2018 drew more than 20 million viewers, when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford recounted an alleged sexual assault by then‑Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The hearing has since become a focal point in discussions about Senator Susan Collins’ record on judicial appointments.

Ford’s Testimony and Its Aftermath

Dr. Ford, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, spoke in a packed committee room in Washington, D.C., describing an incident that occurred when she was 15. She raised her right hand—a gesture that would later become an iconic image of the proceedings—and detailed how she believed Kavanaugh had assaulted her. The testimony was broadcast nationwide and prompted widespread media coverage.

Following the hearing, Ford reported facing a “massive amount of threats to her safety.” She and her family were forced to leave their home and hired 24‑hour security services, according to statements released by her legal team. She said she came forward in the hopes that senators—including those in Maine—would understand the seriousness of the allegations against the nominee.

Dr. Ford’s legal counsel is Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, founding partners of Katz Banks Kumin LLP, who represented her throughout the confirmation hearings.

Senator Collins’ Vote and Public Statements

Maine’s senior senator, Susan Collins, cast the deciding vote in favor of Kavanaugh’s confirmation. In a televised interview on CNN, Collins said, “I do not believe that Brett Kavanaugh was her assailant. I do believe that she was assaulted. I don’t know by whom, and I’m not certain when, but I do not believe he was the assailant.” She also noted that her testimony, which she described as “sincere, painful, and compelling,” did not change her vote.

Collins has cited a private meeting with Kavanaugh, in which the nominee denied the allegations and promised to uphold precedent, including Roe v. Wade, as part of her reasoning for supporting the confirmation. She has reiterated support for survivors of sexual assault and reproductive rights in public statements, though her voting record on related issues has drawn criticism from some advocacy groups.

Collins’ Judicial Confirmation Record

Since the 2018 hearings, Collins has voted to confirm 52 of 55 judicial nominees appointed by former President Donald Trump. Her confirmation votes have included:

• Joshua Dunlap, a former assistant U.S. attorney and current judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, who previously opposed marriage equality.
• Eric Tung, a former federal prosecutor who was confirmed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Joshua Divine, a former state court judge who has made controversial remarks about LGBTQ+ issues.

Collins has also voted “no” on a number of judicial nominees from the Biden administration, a record that has been noted by bipartisan observers.

Context for Maine Voters

The 2026 election will bring these issues to the forefront for Maine voters. The state’s senior senator, who has long positioned herself as a moderate, remains a key figure in discussions about the balance of power in the federal judiciary and the potential impact of new appointments on civil rights.

The debate over Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the testimony of Dr. Ford, and Senator Collins’ subsequent voting choices are likely to influence the political conversation as Maine heads to the ballot box later this year.