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Susan Collins is an American politician who has represented Maine in the U.S. Senate since 1997. Born in Caribou, Maine, she built a political career that began with congressional staff work before she entered elective office. In 2026, she is seeking a sixth Senate term after nearly three decades in Washington.
Her career includes service in state government, the federal Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Senate. She also became the first Republican woman to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee. Her background, family roots, education, and long Senate record continue to shape public interest in her political life.
Susan Collins Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Margaret Collins |
| Date of birth | December 7, 1952 |
| Age | 73 years |
| Birthplace | Caribou, Maine |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | St. Lawrence University |
| Profession | Politician |
| U.S. Senate career | 1997 to present |
| Husband | Thomas A. Daffron |
| Children | None |
| Current Senate role | Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee |
| State represented | Maine |
Early Life and Family
Susan Margaret Collins was born on December 7, 1952, in Caribou, Maine. She grew up in a large family as one of six children, with parents Donald and Patricia Collins. Her family operated a lumber business established by her ancestors in 1844, giving her strong roots in northern Maine.
Her family also had a long history in public service. Both of her parents served as mayor of Caribou, while her father served in the Maine Legislature after his military service. Four generations of the Collins family have served in the Maine Legislature, according to her Senate biography.
Collins graduated from Caribou High School in 1971. During her senior year, she participated in the U.S. Senate Youth Program and visited Washington, D.C. That experience introduced her directly to national politics and added to her interest in public service.
Susan Collins Education
Collins attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She graduated in 1975 as a Phi Beta Kappa student with a bachelor’s degree in government. Congressional records identify St. Lawrence as her undergraduate institution, while the university has continued to recognize her as a distinguished alumna.
Her university education prepared her for a career that combined government, public administration, and legislative work. After graduation, she moved directly into congressional employment rather than pursuing a separate professional degree. Her early work placed her inside the Senate before she eventually became a senator herself.
Susan Collins Early Career
Collins began her professional political career in 1975 as a staff member for Maine Representative William Cohen. Cohen later won election to the U.S. Senate, and Collins continued working for him after his move to the upper chamber. She eventually became staff director of the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee.
In 1987, Maine Governor John McKernan appointed Collins commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. She held that position until 1992. President George H. W. Bush then appointed her director of the Small Business Administration’s regional office in New England.
She later served as deputy state treasurer of Massachusetts before returning to Maine. In 1994, Collins won the Republican nomination for governor in an eight-way primary. She became the first woman nominated for Maine governor by a major political party, although she did not win the general election.
Susan Collins Political Career
Collins entered the U.S. Senate in January 1997 after winning the 1996 election. She succeeded Republican Senator William Cohen, for whom she had worked earlier in her career. Maine voters reelected her in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020.
Her 2020 victory gave her a fifth Senate term. The Senate says she became the first Republican woman to win five terms and the first popularly elected U.S. senator from Maine to reach that milestone. She has served continuously in the Senate since January 3, 1997.
During her Senate career, Collins has held several leadership positions. She chaired the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Special Committee on Aging, and later became chair of the Appropriations Committee. She also served in senior roles on other Senate committees.
Senate Career and Major Work
Collins has worked on issues including health care, small businesses, education, transportation, national defense, and senior citizens. Her official Senate biography highlights bipartisan legislation involving intelligence reform, repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, government shutdowns, small-business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Social Security benefits.
She also founded the Senate Diabetes Caucus in 1997 and became a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. Her Senate work has included efforts involving biomedical research, prescription drug costs, and support for family caregivers.
In January 2025, Collins became chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee oversees discretionary federal spending, making the position one of the Senate’s major roles in federal budget decisions. She became the first Republican woman to hold the committee’s chairmanship.
Susan Collins Family and Husband
Susan Collins is married to Thomas A. Daffron. The couple married in August 2012 in Caribou, Maine, after knowing each other for many years through their work in Washington politics. Daffron had earlier worked with William Cohen and later held senior positions in government consulting.
Collins and Daffron live in Bangor, Maine. Public biographical records list no children for the couple. Collins remains closely connected to her extended family in northern Maine, where her family business has operated for generations.
Susan Collins Political Life in 2026
In 2026, Collins is campaigning for another term in the U.S. Senate. Maine’s general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson is her opponent in the Senate race. Jackson previously served as president of the Maine Senate.
The 2026 campaign has placed Collins under renewed national attention because the Maine Senate contest is one of the races receiving significant coverage in the fight for Senate control. Recent reporting has also highlighted policy disagreements between Collins and President Donald Trump, including her opposition to some tariffs affecting Maine’s economy.
Collins has also emphasized her record of working across party lines. Her political career has included votes and legislation that have sometimes differed from positions associated with members of her own party. Those documented actions form an important part of how voters and political observers assess her long Senate career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Susan Collins?
Susan Collins is 73 years old. She was born on December 7, 1952, in Caribou, Maine.
Where did Susan Collins go to college?
She attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in government and membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
Who is Susan Collins’ husband?
Her husband is Thomas A. Daffron. They married in August 2012 in Caribou, Maine.
Does Susan Collins have children?
Public biographical records list Collins and Daffron as having no children.
How long has Susan Collins served in the Senate?
Collins has represented Maine in the Senate since January 3, 1997. She won reelection in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020.
What is Susan Collins’ current Senate position?
As of 2026, Collins chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. She became the first Republican woman to hold that position.
Conclusion
Susan Collins built her political career from congressional staff work into nearly three decades of Senate service. Her journey includes state and federal government positions, a 1994 gubernatorial campaign, five successful Senate reelection campaigns, and leadership of the Appropriations Committee. Her Maine roots remain central to her public identity and political career.
In 2026, Collins is seeking another Senate term while continuing to serve as Appropriations Committee chair. Her current campaign against Democrat Troy Jackson adds another chapter to a political career that began in Maine and expanded into national policymaking.
