Trump, impeachment could loom large in Sen. Collins’ race

In this Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, hands out candy to children outside her office during a trick-or-treat event hosted by local chamber of commerce in Lewiston, Maine. Collins is expected to make a formal anuncement on her reelection plans later this fall. 

In this Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 photo, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, hands out candy to children outside her office during a trick-or-treat event hosted by local chamber of commerce in Lewiston, Maine. Collins is expected to make a formal anuncement on her reelection plans later this fall. 

Republican Sen. Susan Collins has a well-funded Democrat prepping to challenge her next year. She has national women’s groups rey to attack her over her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh. And she’s a moderate facing an electorate that increasingly prioritizes purity.

Still, four-term Maine senator’s biggest hurdle to reelection may be president of her own party.

President Donald Trump’s potential impeachment in House and subsequent trial in Senate presents a distinct dilemma for Collins. Of handful of Republicans senators facing reelection next year, she has done perhaps most to keep a clear distance from Trump. But as Democrats charge ahe toward impeachment, it looks increasingly likely that Collins will be forced to take sides in dramatic fashion. senator, who has ackwledged she didn’t vote for president in 2016 and still won’t say wher she will next year, may have to vote for him on Senate floor.

“Susan Collins is in a terrible position,” said David Farmer, a Democratic operative in Maine. “ position that she’s in where she will likely to take a vote on wher to remove president from office is going to inflame eir Democratic or Republican base.”

Collins has kept mum on House inquiry into wher president abused his power by trying to get president of Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, because of her potential role as an impeachment juror.

But she’s alrey shown a willingness to criticize president on various issues. She said it was “completely inappropriate” for Trump to ask China to investigate Bidens. And she said his decision to pull U.S. troops from border in Syria and leave Kurds open to attack was “terribly unwise.”

Trump often lashes out at those who criticize him, even those in his own party, like Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

But he has t attacked Collins, yet.

Collins’ aides shrug off questions of how presidential politics could factor into her race, and 66-year-old senator said she’s built her career on independence valued by Mainers.

“I just have to run, should I decide to run, my own race. And that’s what I’ve always done regardless of who’s on top of ticket,” she told Associated Press.

She has said she plans to formally anunce wher she’s seeking reelection later this fall.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has thrown its support behind Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon. three or Democratic candidates are activist Betsy Sweet, attorney Bre Kidman and a late-comer, former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse.

For her part, Gideon has been touting her progressive credentials in her fundraising, but she’s stopped shy of supporting Medicare for All or Green New Deal, though she says climate change and universal health care are important to her.

She’s unequivocal on Trump.

She supports Democrat-led impeachment inquiry — and accuses Collins of failing to stand up to Trump. “In times that we’ve needed her most, since (Trump) has become president, she’s t delivering for us,” Gideon told a garing in Portland.

Gideon raised $1 million more than Collins in most recent reporting cycle. But Collins has raised far more money — $8.6 million — largest of any political candidate in Maine history. Pundits suggest urd of $80 million to $100 million could be spent on this race before Election Day 2020.

Democrats see an opportunity as Collins navigates a potentially precarious path in a fractured state where Trump is reviled in liberal, coastal communities and cheered in conservative, heavily wooded rth.

Try as she might, she won’t be able to avoid Trump, who’s expected to campaign in Maine, where he claimed one of state’s four electoral votes in 2016.

Josh Tardy, a Bangor attorney and former Republican leer in Maine House, said Mainers expect Collins to demonstrate “due diligence” on her constitutionally imposed obligations when it comes to impeachment.

But he downplayed impact in her race.

“I think most people view this impeachment as partisan tit for tat. I don’t think that’s to drive election needle one way or or,” he said.

In Lewiston, a former mill town on Androscoggin River, senator’s challenges were clear even at a recent event hosted by local chamber of commerce.

Collins appeared at ease as she handed out Halloween candy to children, posed for selfies and chatted with ults. But some voters were less so.

Hillary Dow said she was “troubled” by a key vote that incensed Democrats — Collins’ support of Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault during Supreme Court confirmation process. But she said she continues to back Collins because of bigger picture — her moderate views, her bipartisanship, her track record.

“I appreciate that she’s honest and fair, and she focuses on what really matters. She’s a good person,” she said.

But one man who sought out Collins for a photo later ackwledged he might t vote at all because he’s so frustrated with national politics.

“I’m t sure if I trust anyone anymore, as far as politicians go,” said restaurant worker Craig Aleo. “It’s a tough world right w.”

Collins conceded it’s a difficult time for a politician who has me a career trying to broker legislative deals.

“ current environment is very disturbing to me. re’s a lack of focus on what we need to do for American people, and inste focus is on power struggles over who’s going to control what,” she said.

Collins hails from Caribou, in conservative 2nd Congressional District that voted for Trump. That’s where her parents served as mayor, and where her family still runs S.W. Collins hardware store.

Ousting Collins from Maine politics, where her roots run deep, is small task.

Cynthia yes, who describes herself as “liberal in Republican clothing,” fears that her friend from high school is more vulnerable this election cycle. But Caribou flower shop owner still supports Collins, and she hopes or independent-minded voters will support her as y have in past.

“Do what’s right and you’ll be OK. Mainers are like that. If y think you’re doing right thing, n you’ll be OK,” she said.