A three-way gubernatorial race allows one candidate to torpedo another. That makes me nervous for Maine.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
A tight Maine primary proves the value of ranked-choice voting | Steve Collins
Under a winner-take-all system, the Democrats would have nominees who garnered less than a third of the overall vote.
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
For our nation’s 250th, why not the best? | Steve Collins
To meaningfully renew the American spirit, we should be embracing our past.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
Democrats are squandering a rare opportunity in Maine | Steve Collins
If they’re serious about capitalizing on her vulnerability, Susan Collins’ opponents need to get their act together.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
Unfortunately for Graham Platner, he needs women on his side to win | Steve Collins
The bedrock of the Democratic coalition in Maine comprises women who lean left or center. If even one in five of them decides not to vote for Platner in November, he’s toast.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
No, Democrats have not gerrymandered New England | Steve Collins
Though Republicans haven’t won a U.S. House seat in the region since 2016, it’s not because district lines are unfair. It’s because they have lousy candidates and unpopular policies.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
Bobby Charles is wrong to make a bogeyman of the ballot | Steve Collins
Hoping to win without a second round, Charles is urging voters to pick him — and nobody but him.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
Civil rights pioneer Gerald Talbot’s legacy is a better, fairer Maine | Steve Collins
Our state’s first Black legislator will be remembered for a remarkable record. Maine should renew its commitment to the reforms he championed.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
National Democratic backing may be Joe Baldacci’s undoing | Steve Collins
Gaining the support of Capitol Hill insiders is more likely to hurt than help his bid for the 2nd District congressional seat.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
Jackson and Platner are right to be thinking about Mainers’ time | Steve Collins
It would be hard to find somebody who disagrees that we deserve more time, more freedom, to explore our state with people we care about.