The most partisan Democrats celebrated Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for reaching a major milestone as her likely 2026 Democratic opponent Graham Platner’s campaign faltered from the fallout of a fresh controversy.
On Thursday, the Maine senator cast her 10,000th consecutive vote during a marathon vote-a-rama on President Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation package, which provides $69.5 billion in funding for ICE through 2029. The measure passed 52-47. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the lone Republican who voted against it.
The Senate chamber erupted in applause as Collins hit the milestone, drawing rare bipartisan praise.
“No matter what has been going on in the world or in her life, Senator Collins has never, never missed a vote in her entire Senate career. This is truly a remarkable milestone,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “Many of us try hard to make every vote. Senator Collins has actually done it.”
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME, @SenatorCollins) 10,000 consecutive roll call votes. pic.twitter.com/GVMKpiQDf6
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 5, 2026
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) backed up Schumer, calling the accomplishment an “impressive demonstration of endurance and determination.”
“I salute you for it,” he said.
Collins, a moderate Republican who represents an increasingly blue state, is the first senator in history to reach the threshold.
“Mainers are known for their work ethic, and they deserve a senator who works just as hard for them. Growing up in Aroostook County, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and honoring your commitments. I am proud to bring those values with me to the Senate every day,” Collins said of her 10,000 votes.
“Representing the state of Maine is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to serve with the diligence and responsibility that Mainers deserve,” she added.
Maine is considered a must-win state for Democrats seeking to flip the Senate and block President Trump’s second-term agenda. Collins has consistently defied conventional wisdom and political headwinds, winning four reelection campaigns with cross-over support in an increasingly polarized era.
Schumer’s praise of Collins is especially notable as Democrats bend over backwards to defend Platner as he remains entrenched in controversy.
The Democratic Senate candidate engaged in a pattern of “intimidating and disturbing” behavior toward multiple women and lied about not knowing the meaning of his Nazi tattoo, according to a new report from The New York Times citing former girlfriends.
Three of Platner’s ex-girlfriends described volatile and “toxic” relationships with the Senate hopeful, claiming he demeaned women, became physically threatening, and was repeatedly unfaithful. On one occasion, an ex-girlfriend accused Platner of twisting her arm, shoving her into a bedroom, and holding the door shut until she became “calm.”
“It didn’t cause an injury, it didn’t break my arm,” she told the Times.
In damage control, Platner strongly disputed claims of physical intimidation or violence.
“There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about, are simply not true,” Platner said on MS NOW. “Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of someone who’s politically motivated.”
WATCH: Hayes asks Platner where there are any other damning texts or pictures out there that could potentially get dropped late in the race. Platner’s response: “I’m not worried about it.” pic.twitter.com/lL70UrAaAA
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
Earlier this week, Platner met privately with Senate Democrats in Washington as party leaders grew increasingly concerned about whether additional scandals could surface before the general election.
Yet even as Democratic leaders coalesce around Platner, fissures within the party continue to surface.
“Graham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women,” Ally Sammarco, a Democratic political consultant, said. “I’m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it’s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.
Graham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women. I’m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it’s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.
— Ally Sammarco (@Ally_Sammarco) June 5, 2026
