At a campaign stop in Boothbay Harbor, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins met with some old friends and met some new ones during an hour-long event Aug. 31 at Hawke Motors. Collins is seeking her sixth term. She is locked in a re-election matchup with Democratic challenger and state Senator Troy Jackson of Allagash.

Six years ago, Collins won Lincoln County. In 2020, Collins defeated Democratic challenger Sara Gideon, 12,075 to 10,102 in Lincoln County. She also defeated Gideon in Boothbay, 1,120- 998, and Boothbay Harbor, 700-646.

Collins met with over 40 enthusiastic supporters wearing bright red Collins T-shirts and carrying signs at Hawke's. One of her newest supporters is Rachel Hawke, 23, of Boothbay Harbor. She brought her two children, 4-year-old Ezra and 9-month-old AJ Hawke to the event. Rachel wasn't old enough to vote for Collins in 2020, but she is anxious to vote in this election. "I love everything about her, and I hope she continues to do great things for Maine," she said.

On other end of the age spectrum is Alan Lewis, 90, of East Boothbay. He has supported Collins in each of her statewide campaigns, including her first one in 1994. Collins finished third as the Republican gubernatorial nominee.

Lewis likes Collins' experience, education and judgment as a leader. He also likes her staff. Lewis described the staff as "first-rate" and pointed out one person in particular: Chief of Staff Steve Abbott.

Lewis first met Collins 30 years ago in Aroostook County while he was building bridges. Prior to that, he was the facilities manager at the University of Maine at Orono and became good friends with Walt Abbott, the college's longtime athletic director. "Steve Abbott is Walt's son. He is a fine person, Harvard educated," Lewis said. "Steven is Susan's chief of staff. She surrounds herself with excellent people and Steven is a great example."

Dr. Paul Taylor is president of Boothbay Region Health Center. "I'm here trying to make connections about supporting the health center. We are recruiting a new practitioner on a limited budget. So, I'm seeking her input on how to do that," he said.

The Boothbay Register also interviewed Collins about current issues facing Maine and the nation. In the campaign, Collins' opponents have criticized her 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was one of five justices in June 2022 voting to overturn the Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision regarding abortion rights.

Since her election in 1996, she has voted to confirm eight of the current Supreme Court justices and said she regrets none of those decisions. "I don't. What I've done in every case is look at the qualifications. You can never predict how someone will vote," she said. "A little-known fact is I'm the only Republican to vote for all three of the current Democrat-appointed female judges."

With absence of federal protections regarding abortions, Collins was asked why the U.S. Congress hadn't passed a law with the same Roe v. Wade protections? Collins replied she proposed a law to codify Roe v. Wade. "Take what was and make the previous court's ruling the law of the land, but Chuck Schumer (U.S. Senate Democratic leader) wouldn't bring it to the floor," Collins said.

Locally, MaineHealth is considering closing the birthing unit in Damariscotta. It would be the 13th birthing unit in the state to close. Collins was asked if this was a federal or state issue. She said it was both. Collins is working with U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) on a proposal for providing grants to states so they could train family doctors to perform deliveries.

Prior to discussions regarding Damariscotta birthing center's closure, Collins said she led an effort in the U.S. Senate creating a $50 billion rural health care transformation fund. She described the fund's purpose as assisting with funding for rural hospitals, health clinics and work shortages. "This is going to be over a five-year period. Maine's first allotment was $190 million. The state decides how to spend the money. Maine has been very slow in spending it," she said.

Internationally, President Trump's Iran policy is controversial. Collins was asked how she would advise the president. She agrees with Trump's assessment that Iran is a dangerous country, poses a major threat by developing nuclear weapons, and remains a leading sponsor of world terrorism.

"President Trump went in without a plan. He should've anticipated the Strait of Hormuz closure because that was an obvious leverage point for the Iranians," she said. "But unfortunately, he approached the conflict without having a clear strategy and goals."

When Collins entered the Senate in 1997, the national debt was $5.4 trillion. It is now over $40 trillion. She described this as a dangerous situation particularly for entitlement spending. Collins wants federal officials to rein in spending and knows it will take time to reduce federal spending.

"I don't think you can get to a balanced budget overnight. I've worked to increase (entitlement) benefits for people who worked in both private and public sectors. I'd like an independent commission of financial experts appointed by the House and Senate to look at ways for a better return from the social security trust fund."

Several of President Trump’s proposals are currently stalled in the Senate due to a Democrat filibuster. Trump has proposed the Senate eliminate the filibuster, but Collins disagrees. "It's an important safeguard against bad legislation," she said.