As the administration seeks a 40% increase in military spending, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is focusing on the proposed cuts to domestic programs in Trump’s latest budget request.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, News, Politics
Amid Iran conflict, Platner re-ups criticism of Collins for Iraq vote. Here’s the background.
In unreported Reddit comments that have been deleted, the US Senate candidate called combat ‘an excellent experience.’
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Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
As Trump addresses the nation, Democrats hit Susan Collins over Iran vote
Maine’s senior senator told reporters in Sanford on Tuesday that she does not support boots on the ground in Iran.
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Susan Collins walks back comment saying she’d only serve 1 more term if elected
A campaign spokesperson said Collins’ statement was ‘an offhand comment to a reporter, not a formal declaration.’
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Are Maine Democrats having their own tea party moment?
In 2009, the tea party movement gave rise to a rough-edged, tough-talking Republican governor in Paul LePage. Now, Democrats are eying a progressive with similar qualities in Graham Platner.
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Trump reluctantly praises Susan Collins in Fox News interview
The president initially lumped Maine’s senior senator into a group of Republicans he’s ‘not at all fans of,’ before calling her ‘a good person.’
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Maine Democratic primary voters prefer Platner by 2-to-1 margin over Mills, new poll finds
The Emerson College poll found both Mills and Platner leading Republican Susan Collins in a hypothetical general election matchup.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Mariners worry about Democratic legislative priority
A data privacy bill making its way through Augusta has drawn pushback from the state’s business community.
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Graham Platner is still ‘a mystery’ to Maine voters. It’s costing Democrats millions.
He’s spending three times as much on ads in the U.S. Senate primary as Gov. Janet Mills, who went on the attack this week over her opponent’s old internet comments about sexual assault.
Posted inElections, Maine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Elizabeth Warren backs Graham Platner in Maine’s Senate primary
The progressive senator from Massachusetts and former presidential candidate said the political newcomer ‘is going to flip Maine and then actually deliver change for working people.’