The honorable option for Susan Collins | Letter
Letter to the editor calls for Sen. Susan Collins to step down as Senate Appropriations Chair
A letter to the editor published in the March 2026 edition of the Press Herald’s Maine Matters column has ignited discussion about the political future of Senator Susan Collins. Written by Ted MacDonald, a resident of Gray, the letter urges Collins to resign her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and to sever ties with the Republican Party’s leadership under former President Donald J. Trump.
Who and What
Ted MacDonald is a longtime resident of Gray, a small coastal town in southeastern Maine. In his letter, he criticizes Collins for supporting the 2018 nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, citing the “pain and hardship that vote has visited on women living in states that no longer allow their choice.” He also lists a series of issues he believes reflect Collins’ alignment with Trump’s “corrupted party,” including the 2020 election fraud narrative, the pardon of Jan 6 insurrectionists, the lack of investigation into the Epstein case, tariff policies, and the recent death of a Collins constituent in Biddeford at the hands of an ICE agent.
MacDonald concludes the letter with a direct appeal: “In protest, Collins ought to resign her position as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and no longer claim allegiance to the corrupted party of Trump. If Collins has an ounce of honor left in that long‑dedicated public‑servant soul of hers — and I truly believe she must — that is the only honorable option left.”
When and Where
The letter appeared on March 7, 2026, in the Press Herald’s Maine Matters section, a weekly roundup of local political news that draws contributions from citizens across the state. The column’s title was a nod to the larger 2026 election cycle, which includes contests for the U.S. Senate, House seats, and several statewide offices.
Why the Letter Matters
Sen. Susan Collins has been a polarizing figure in Maine politics for years. Elected in 2014 as a Republican, she was reelected in 2020 with 54 % of the vote, a margin that some see as evidence of her bipartisan appeal. Collins was appointed by President Trump to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, a powerful committee that controls federal spending. In that role, she has overseen budgets for everything from military aid to social programs.
Her support for Justice Kavanaugh drew criticism from pro‑reproductive‑rights groups, who argued that Kavanaugh’s judicial philosophy would undermine protections for women’s choice. Critics also point to Collins’ vote in favor of a 2021 bill that tightened restrictions on abortion clinics in states that had already enacted “trigger laws.” In 2022, she voted to remove a clause from a bipartisan bill that would have allowed certain non‑profit organizations to operate as “non‑partisan” under the IRS.
Collins has also been a vocal ally of former President Trump’s positions. In 2021, she introduced a resolution supporting Trump’s claims of widespread election fraud. She also co‑sponsored a measure that would have barred federal funds from “non‑partisan” organizations, a move critics said was designed to silence dissenting voices. In 2023, Collins joined other Republican senators in supporting the presidential pardon of a convicted Jan 6 insurrectionist, a decision that drew condemnation from many across the political spectrum.
The incident that triggered the letter’s mention of Biddeford is the death of a 45‑year‑old man, a longtime constituent of Collins, who was killed by an ICE agent during a routine immigration check. The event has sparked calls for increased oversight of ICE operations and has become a flashpoint in discussions about the agency’s use of lethal force.
Context: Collins’ Voting Record and Public Image
While Collins’ critics point to her alignment with Trump, her supporters emphasize her record on economic issues. She has championed increased federal funding for Maine’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and has advocated for the expansion of broadband access in rural areas. In 2024, she secured a $12 million grant for a new bridge over the Kennebec River, a project long overdue in the state.
Collins’ stance on abortion remains a contentious issue. In 2021, she voted for a bill that would have imposed stricter regulations on abortion clinics in states that had enacted “trigger laws.” She has said she supports women’s reproductive rights but believes the federal government should not dictate state policy on the matter. This nuanced position has drawn both praise and criticism from groups on both sides of the debate.
The Letter’s Tone and Direct Quotes
The letter’s opening quotation from Voltaire—“Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities”—sets a somber tone, suggesting the writer views Collins’ political alignment as ethically compromising. MacDonald’s central request is unequivocal: Collins must resign and distance herself from Trump’s influence. He writes: “If Collins has an ounce of honor left ... that is the only honorable option left.” The letter concludes with an explicit call for Collins to step down as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Reactions
At the time of publication, no official response from Senator Collins or her press office has been issued. A spokesperson for the senator’s office declined to comment, citing the letter’s content as an individual opinion.
The letter has sparked debate across Maine’s political landscape. Some local journalists have called for a broader discussion about the role of party loyalty versus individual conscience in policymaking. Others have pointed to Collins’ contributions to Maine’s infrastructure and economic development as evidence of her public service.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 election cycle will see many of
