Moderate Republican Susan Collins generated both praise and blowback last year when she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a decision she says she doesn’t regret.
“I do not regret my vote in the least,” Collins told the New York Times.
Collins, 66, has served as a senator from Maine for more than two decades, easily winning her last election with 68% of the vote. Collins, a Republican in a blue state, has made a name for herself by reaching across the aisle. She is pro-abortion and a supporter of gay rights, but she faced scrutiny in Maine for backing Kavanaugh.
Collins’ seat has become a target for Democrats looking to make gains in 2020, with Maine’s high-profile Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon announcing that she would challenge Collins. In the interview, Collins defended her decision to vote for Kavanaugh, whose selection Democrats feared would spark a fresh battle over Roe v. Wade. His nomination was also beset by accusations of sexual misconduct.
She pointed out Kavanaugh’s record on abortion as proof she made the right decision. Although he voted to uphold a restrictive Louisiana abortion law, he voted against taking up a case that would have posed a threat to Roe v. Wade.
Collins said there needed to be more moderation in the U.S. Senate and said she was surprised that top Democrats were putting such an effort into challenging someone so willing to work across the aisle.
“I’m an important voice for the nation in an increasingly polarized environment,” she said. “There are so few members left in the center.”
“It’s ironic to me that I am among Chuck Schumer’s top targets when there is no one who works more across the aisle,” Collins said, referring to the Senate’s Democratic minority leader.
Despite the millions raised to oppose her reelection, she still is polling above the 47-year-old Gideon in what is a closely watched race.
