Full Breakdown
Susan Collins Secures First Tribal Endorsement in Maine Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik has formally endorsed U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in her bid for re-election, marking the first tribal endorsement of the five-term Republican. In a letter, Chief Pos Bassett of the Pleasant Point reservation praised Collins for “tirelessly” improving the tribe’s economy over three decades and highlighted her role in securing $5 million in federal funds for a new wastewater-treatment plant and collection system that the tribe says is critical to its infrastructure.
Background & Context
Maine’s tribal communities have long navigated a unique legal landscape. The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 provided the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq Nations with more than $80 million but left the state’s regulatory authority over the tribes comparable to that of towns and cities, limiting the sovereignty enjoyed by federally recognized tribes elsewhere. In recent election cycles, Democratic candidates—including Sen. Troy Jackson—have courted tribal support, with the Mi’kmaq Nation Tribal Council backing Jackson during his prior gubernatorial run and several tribes endorsing Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree.
Data & Statistics
- $5 million in federal funding secured for the Passamaquoddy wastewater project (Chief Pos Bassett).
- 30 years of Collins’s involvement in tribal-related economic initiatives (Chief Pos Bassett).
- $80 million settlement amount from the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act (legislative record).
Official Statements & Responses
Collins said she was honored to receive the endorsement, emphasizing the tribe’s importance to Maine’s cultural fabric and pledging continued work to ensure tribal resources and infrastructure. Her office reiterated support for tribal self-government and noted a willingness to back extensions of federal programs, such as applying the Violence Against Women Act to Maine tribes. Independent Sen. Angus King publicly opposed a proposal from Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree that would extend future federal benefits to the tribes, while Collins declined to take a position on that initiative, stating that such decisions belong to the state legislature and governor. Jackson, in a campaign video, accused the federal government of historic neglect of Maine tribes and vowed to be “the loudest” advocate for tribal self-determination in the U.S. Senate.
Why It Matters
Collins’s endorsement signals a potential shift in tribal-political dynamics, offering the Republican incumbent a tangible record of delivering federal resources to a community that has traditionally aligned with Democratic candidates on sovereignty issues. The endorsement may influence undecided voters who prioritize tribal economic development and could shape legislative debates in Augusta over extending federal programs and clarifying tribal authority. As the Senate race approaches, both parties are intensifying outreach to Maine’s Indigenous nations, making tribal support an increasingly pivotal factor in the election’s outcome.