One of the most important goals for Democrats in 2020 is to take back the Senate and rein in the more inhumane of Donald Trump’s policy ideas and hold him accountable for his actions. Susan Collins’s (R) approval ratings in Maine make that look all the more possible.
A poll conducted by Critical Insights shows that Collins’ approval rating has dropped by 17 points since the fall of 2017, dropping to a level lower than she’s ever is registered before. In fact, this newly-released poll shows that, for the first time since being elected, Collins’ disapproval rating is higher than her approval rating, even though Maine residents approval of the overall direction of the state.
One controversial vote is credited as the most significant reason for that drop.
‘Whenever there is a close controversial vote, democrats normally hold out hope that Maine senator, Susan Collins, will vote with them. She did cross the aisle to vote against the repeal of Obamacare in July of 2017. She broke liberal hearts, however, when she voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in October of 2018.’
Collins’ double-talk during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings doesn’t seem to have swayed voters’ opinions in her favor. At the time, Collins said that she believed Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony that she has been sexually assaulted as a high schooler, but that her accusations against Kavanaugh may have been, in essence, a case of false identity.
Critical Insights President Bob Kline said that a distinct pattern can be seen in Collins’ approval ratings following that vote.
‘If I had to speculate on a single factor underlying this slip in Collin’s approval rating, it would be her pivotal vote in Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court. Her approval was both strong and steady prior to her vote last fall, and it has continued to slip since then.’
A Democrat running against Collins in 2020 may have an easier race than most. The state went to Hillary Clinton by three points in 2016 and Democratic legislators in the state did well in 2018.
‘It is not currently known who Collins’ 2020 democratic opponent may be. Former ambassador, Susan Rice, had hinted that she might take on Collins but at this point, that seems unlikely. According to the Bangor Daily News, the most likely opponent for Collins is Maine House Speaker, Sara Gideon.’
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license
