Collins Delivered Billions in Aid for Maine Workers and Employers, But Now Gideon’s 4 Month Vacation Means They Could Be Taxed

Perfect Encapsulation of What’s At Stake In This Race

Susan Collins is ALWAYS fighting for Maine. Sara Gideon NEVER even shows up. 

Problem solving starts with showing up. 

Watch our new VIDEO about Sara Gideon and Harvey Weinstein.

Campaign puts 501(c)3 organization at risk of losing tax-exempt status

Gideon has already raised the most out-of-state $ in Maine history, yet still accepted funding intended to bribe Senator Collins

Gideon has track record of campaign ethics violations & backing special interests

Clear example of a bribe: $ offered in exchange for a vote

Pattern of saying one thing and doing another persists for Democratic candidate

July 15, 2020

The Honorable Sara Gideon

South Freeport, Maine

c/o Maeve Coyle

Dear Speaker Gideon:

I want to congratulate you on becoming the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, and welcome you to the campaign.

Earlier today, your campaign spokesperson distributed a press release calling for five debates. 

While I share the sentiment outlined in your press release that Mainers deserve the opportunity to compare us directly before they decide how they'll vote, I believe five debates is far too limited a schedule for such an important race.

To that end, I propose that we have 16 live, televised, in-person debates, one in each of Maine's counties.  Let’s have the first one tonight.  

Again, congratulations on your primary victory. I look forward to an open and accessible discussion with you about the future of our state and nation, and I hope to see you in person this evening.

Sincerely,

Susan Collins

Gideon's attempt to limit debates would be unfair to voters

BANGOR -- U.S. Senator Susan Collins sent a letter today to Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon, proposing one in-person, live televised debate in each of Maine's 16 counties, starting as soon as tonight.

The proposal comes after Gideon sent out a press release earlier today advocating for a limited schedule of just five debates.

"Earlier today, your campaign spokesperson distributed a press release calling for five debates," said Collins in the letter. "While I share the sentiment outlined in your press release that Mainers deserve the opportunity to compare us directly before they decide how they'll vote, I believe five debates is far too limited a schedule for such an important race."

During her primary, Gideon was heavily criticized by her Democratic opponents for repeatedly skipping forums and for refusing to participate in any live, televised network debates.  

Letter below.

July 15, 2020

The Honorable Sara Gideon

South Freeport, Maine

Dear Speaker Gideon:

I want to congratulate you on becoming the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, and welcome you to the campaign.

Earlier today, your campaign spokesperson distributed a press release calling for five debates. 

While I share the sentiment outlined in your press release that Mainers deserve the opportunity to compare us directly before they decide how they'll vote, I believe five debates is far too limited a schedule for such an important race.

To that end, I propose that we have 16 live, televised, in-person debates, one in each of Maine's counties.  Let’s have the first one tonight.  

Again, congratulations on your primary victory. I look forward to an open and accessible discussion with you about the future of our state and nation, and I hope to see you in person this evening.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins

Members of the press,

Sara Gideon is the Democratic nominee. Here’s why she didn’t win the primary:

• She didn’t win by out-debating her opponents. In fact, she skipped debates with multiple news organizations.

• She didn’t win because she worked harder. In fact, the Legislature has been out of session for 119 days during a pandemic.

• She didn’t win by telling the truth. Three separate national fact-checkers have declared Gideon’s ads false.

• She didn’t win because she had a record of accomplishment. Gideon’s legislature has singularly failed to address coronavirus, the most pressing health and economic crisis the state has faced in generations. 

• She didn’t win because she answered policy questions. In fact, she rarely talks about policy at all.

• She didn’t win because of her accessibility to reporters. She has repeatedly avoided interviews.  In fact, she dodged a WMTW interview request within the last 48 hours.

So here’s why Sara Gideon is the primary nominee:

Sara Gideon has accepted more out-of-state money than any candidate has ever accepted in Maine history, and it has gone straight to her campaign’s bank on K Street in Washington, DC.

It’s that simple: DC Democrats picked Maine’s Democratic nominee, not Mainers. And they did it by burying the state under an unprecedented tsunami of money.

Collins’ PPP Supported 240,000 Maine Jobs, Including Gideon’s Husband’s

Gideon Even Called for More Program Transparency But Didn’t Disclose Husband’s Employer’s Loan