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The most partisan Democrats celebrated Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for reaching a major milestone as her likely 2026 Democratic opponent Graham Platner\u2019s campaign faltered from the fallout of a fresh controversy.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n The Senate chamber erupted in applause as Collins hit the milestone, drawing rare bipartisan praise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo 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,\u201d Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. \u201cMany of us try hard to make every vote. Senator Collins has actually done it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Senator Susan Collins (R-ME, @SenatorCollins<\/a>) 10,000 consecutive roll call votes. pic.twitter.com\/GVMKpiQDf6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CSPAN (@cspan) June 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) backed up Schumer, calling the accomplishment an \u201cimpressive demonstration of endurance and determination.”<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI salute you for it,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Collins, a moderate Republican who represents an increasingly blue state, is the first senator in history to reach the threshold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMainers 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,\u201d Collins said of her 10,000 votes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRepresenting the state of Maine is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to serve with the diligence and responsibility that Mainers deserve,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Schumer\u2019s praise of Collins is especially notable as Democrats bend over backwards to defend Platner as he remains entrenched in controversy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Democratic Senate candidate engaged in a pattern of \u201cintimidating and disturbing\u201d behavior toward multiple women and lied about not knowing the meaning of his Nazi tattoo, according to a new <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> from The New York Times citing former girlfriends.<\/span><\/p>\n Three of Platner\u2019s ex-girlfriends described volatile and \u201ctoxic\u201d 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 \u201ccalm.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t cause an injury, it didn\u2019t break my arm<\/span>,\u201d <\/span><\/i>she told the Times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In damage control, Platner strongly disputed claims of physical intimidation or violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about, are simply not true,\u201d Platner said on MS NOW. \u201cAnything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of someone who\u2019s politically motivated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Earlier this week, Platner <\/span>met privately<\/span><\/a> with Senate Democrats in Washington as party leaders grew increasingly concerned about whether additional scandals could surface before the general election.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet even as Democratic leaders coalesce around Platner, fissures within the party continue to surface.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGraham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women,\u201d Ally Sammarco, a Democratic political consultant, said. \u201cI\u2019m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it\u2019s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.<\/span><\/p>\n Graham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women. I\u2019m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it\u2019s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n \u2014 Ally Sammarco (@Ally_Sammarco) June 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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