History of Susan Collins in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Susan Collins is a prominent American politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Maine, a position she has held since 1997. A member of the Republican Party, she is widely recognized as a moderate voice and is frequently cited as a key swing vote in the Senate. Throughout her tenure, Collins has built a reputation for prioritizing bipartisan cooperation and pragmatism over strict party-line voting. She has served on several powerful committees, including the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she has been influential in shaping federal spending and policy. Known for her focus on issues such as healthcare, constituent services, and national security, Collins has maintained significant longevity in a politically competitive state. Her voting record often reflects her efforts to bridge the divide in a polarized legislative environment, making her one of the most closely watched members of the U.S. Congress on critical national debates.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1925: Birth of Donald Collins

In 1925, Donald Collins, the father of Susan Collins and a future mayor of Caribou, Maine, was born.

December 7, 1952: Birth of Susan Margaret Collins

Susan Margaret Collins was born on December 7, 1952, marking the beginning of the life of the future American politician and long-serving U.S. Senator.

1971: U.S. Senate Youth Program Participation

In 1971, during her senior year of high school, Susan Collins participated in the U.S. Senate Youth Program, which included her first trip to Washington, D.C., and a significant two-hour meeting with U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith.

1973: Samuel W. Collins Jr. enters the Maine Senate

Starting in 1973, Samuel W. Collins Jr. began a period of service in the Maine Senate that lasted until 1984.

1975: Beginning of Legislative Career

In 1975, Susan Collins began her career in Washington D.C. by serving as a legislative assistant to William Cohen, who was then a U.S. Representative.

1975: Graduation from St. Lawrence University

In 1975, Susan Collins graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence University, earning a bachelor's degree in government and achieving membership in the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.

1975: Beginning of Career with Senator William Cohen

In 1975, Susan Collins launched her professional career by serving as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator William Cohen.

1981: Promotion to Subcommittee Staff Director

In 1981, Susan Collins took on the role of staff director for the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

1981: Appointment as Staff Director

Starting in 1981, Susan Collins took on the role of staff director for the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee on the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

1984: Conclusion of Samuel W. Collins Jr.'s Senate service

In 1984, Samuel W. Collins Jr. finished his legislative service in the Maine Senate, having served there since 1973.

1987: Conclusion of Initial Legislative Roles

By 1987, Susan Collins concluded her tenure as both a legislative assistant to William Cohen and her role as staff director for the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee.

1987: Appointment as Commissioner of Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation

In 1987, Governor John R. McKernan Jr. appointed Susan Collins to serve as the commissioner for the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

1987: Appointment as Commissioner

In 1987, Susan Collins began her service in the cabinet of Maine Governor John R. McKernan Jr., taking on the role of Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

1988: Samuel W. Collins Jr. joins the Maine Supreme Judicial Court

In 1988, Susan Collins' uncle, Samuel W. Collins Jr., began his tenure on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, a position he held until 1994.

1992: Small Business Administration Appointment

During 1992, President George H. W. Bush appointed Susan Collins to serve as the New England regional director for the Small Business Administration, a position she held until the conclusion of the presidential election that year.

1992: Regional Director Appointment

In 1992, President George H. W. Bush appointed Susan Collins to serve as the director of the regional office for the Small Business Administration based in Boston.

1993: Deputy State Treasurer of Massachusetts

Following the 1992 election, Susan Collins relocated to Massachusetts in 1993 to assume the position of Deputy State Treasurer, serving under Joe Malone.

December 1994: Founding Executive Director of the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business

In December 1994, Susan Collins assumed the role of the inaugural executive director at the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business located at Husson College.

1994: Conclusion of Samuel W. Collins Jr.'s judicial term

In 1994, Samuel W. Collins Jr. concluded his service on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court after serving since 1988.

1994: 1994 Gubernatorial Election

In 1994, Susan Collins faced Angus King in the race for Governor of Maine, an election in which King emerged victorious.

1994: Gubernatorial Nomination and Center for Family Business Directorship

In 1994, after moving back to Maine, Susan Collins became the first female major-party nominee for governor of Maine; following her third-place finish in the general election, she became the founding director of the Center for Family Business at Husson University.

1996: First Senate Election

In 1996, Susan Collins achieved a significant career milestone by being elected to the United States Senate for the first time.

1996: Senate Candidacy and Election Victory

In 1996, Susan Collins stepped down from her position at Husson College to run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by William Cohen. After receiving Cohen's endorsement and winning a contested primary, she defeated her opponent Brennan in the 1996 general election with 49% of the vote.

1996: Election to the U.S. Senate and Term Pledge

In 1996, Susan Collins was elected to the United States Senate and made a formal campaign pledge to limit her service to only two terms.

1997: Commencement of U.S. Senate Service

In 1997, Susan Collins began her tenure as a United States senator representing the state of Maine, a role she has held continuously since that year.

1997: Senate Investigation into Campaign Fund-raising

In 1997, the U.S. Senate initiated a comprehensive investigation into campaign fund-raising practices associated with the White House and Congress. During this time, Susan Collins addressed the matter, noting that while some allegations might not technically be illegal, they could certainly be viewed as improper behavior.

December 2001: Passage of Student Loan Relief Legislation

In December 2001, legislation authored by Susan Collins was successfully passed by both the U.S. Senate and House, granting the Secretary of Education the authority to waive federal student loan repayment obligations for National Guard members, reservists on active duty, and victims or families impacted by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

2002: 2002 Senate Election Victory

In 2002, Susan Collins secured reelection to the U.S. Senate by defeating State Senator Chellie Pingree with 58.4% of the vote compared to 41.6%.

2002: Senate Approval of the Department of Homeland Security

In 2002, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to establish the Department of Homeland Security. During the legislative process, a Democratic-led effort to amend the bill failed in a 52-to-47 vote following intense lobbying by President George W. Bush. Susan Collins and other senators supported the bill after receiving assurances from Republican leadership and the White House that certain controversial provisions would be addressed in subsequent legislation the following year.

2003: Chairing the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

In 2003, Susan Collins assumed the role of Chair for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, serving in this capacity until 2007.

December 17, 2004: Signing of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act

On December 17, 2004, President George W. Bush signed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act into law. This legislation, which Senator Susan Collins helped sponsor, overhauled the U.S. intelligence community by creating the position of Director of National Intelligence and establishing federal security standards for driver's licenses, birth certificates, and identification used for air travel.

May 2005: The Gang of 14 Judicial Filibuster Compromise

In May 2005, Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of 14 senators to broker a compromise regarding the judicial filibuster. This agreement enabled the Republican leadership to proceed with debate on judicial nominees without utilizing the nuclear option, establishing that filibusters would be reserved for extraordinary circumstances, and clearing the path for specific appellate court nominees to receive Senate votes.

2007: Conclusion of Homeland Security Committee Chairmanship

Susan Collins finished her leadership role as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in 2007, after having served in the position since 2003.

October 2008: Criticism of McCain Campaign Robocalls

In October 2008, Susan Collins publicly denounced the John McCain presidential campaign for its use of robocalls that linked Barack Obama to domestic terrorist Bill Ayers. Collins explicitly stated that such inflammatory tactics were unwelcome in Maine politics and demanded that the campaign immediately halt the calls.

2008: 2008 Senate Election Victory

During the 2008 election cycle, Susan Collins won her reelection bid against Representative Tom Allen, earning 61.5% of the vote to his 38.5%.

2008: Endorsement of John McCain

During the 2008 presidential election, Susan Collins formally expressed her support for candidate John McCain.

2009: Removal of pandemic flu funding from stimulus package

In 2009, Susan Collins advocated for the removal of $870 million earmarked for pandemic flu funding from a broader $787 billion economic stimulus package, arguing that such expenditures should be handled through the standard appropriations process rather than a stimulus bill.

2009: Recognition as a Moderate Republican

In 2009, Susan Collins was identified as one of the few remaining moderate Republicans from the Northeastern United States, reflecting her status as a centrist and influential figure within the U.S. Senate during that year.

2013: Ascension to Senior Senator

Susan Collins became the senior senator for the state of Maine in 2013 following the departure of Olympia Snowe from the Senate.

2014: 2014 Senate Election Victory

In 2014, Susan Collins was successfully reelected to the Senate after defeating Shenna Bellows with a significant margin of 68.5% to 31.5%.

2015: Chairing the Senate Special Committee on Aging

Starting in 2015, Susan Collins began her tenure as the Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, a position she held until 2021.

2018: Death of Donald Collins

Donald Collins, Susan Collins' father, passed away in 2018 after a life that included serving as the mayor of Caribou.

2019: Sole Republican Statewide Officeholder in Maine

As of 2019, Susan Collins became the only Republican official holding a statewide office in the state of Maine.

2020: 2020 Maine Senate Election Victory

In 2020, Susan Collins faced a high-stakes reelection campaign against Sara Gideon in what became the most expensive race in Maine's history. Despite trailing in public polls throughout the cycle, Collins secured a decisive victory, maintaining her Senate seat and effectively countering Democratic efforts to gain a majority in the chamber.

2020: End of Human Rights Campaign Endorsement

In 2020, Susan Collins lost the consistent endorsement she had previously received from the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent LGBT rights advocacy group.

2021: Record-breaking Tenure as Republican Female Senator

In 2021, Susan Collins achieved the milestone of becoming the longest-serving Republican female senator in United States history, surpassing the record previously held by Margaret Chase Smith, who notably occupied the same Senate seat.

2021: Conclusion of Aging Committee Chairmanship

In 2021, Susan Collins concluded her term as the Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, having led the committee since 2015.

2025: Chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee

Starting in 2025, Susan Collins assumed the role of chair for the Senate Appropriations Committee, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the U.S. Senate.

2026: Graham Platner Drops Out of 2026 Maine Senate Race

In 2026, Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew from the race against Susan Collins following allegations of rape detailed in a Politico investigation. Despite his denial of the accusations, the scandal effectively ended his campaign, leaving the Democratic Party of Maine with a deadline of July 27, 2026, to select a replacement candidate.