Collins, who won a competitive election last fall in the state that took over President Biden, faced a backlash from some of his Republican allies in Congress, including censors of their state parties, for calling the former president.
The committee’s final vote to censor Collins was 19-41, his office said in a statement, which was also confirmed to CNN by the Maine Republican Party.
Maine G.O.P. “The party leadership now considers the matter a settlement and the team is moving towards preparations to win the 2022 election,” Jason Savage, executive director of the party, told CNN in an email on Saturday.
In a statement Saturday, Collins described the committee’s vote as “the attitude of the Republican Party’s ‘big tent’ philosophy, which respects different opinions but unites around fundamental principles.”
In a letter to Collins at the time, several committee members, including the state party chairman and vice chair, wrote, “We do not strongly disagree with your opinion on this matter and strongly condemn it.” Some members believed Trump’s second impeachment hearing was politically motivated and unconstitutional since Trump is no longer in office.
He added that he had heard from miners across the state who were “almost outraged by this action and we have demanded action in response.”
But committee members also said they wanted to continue working with “Collins” to increase the success of this election and to replicate it in other races in Maine and New England. ”
Collins, the only New England Republican to remain in Congress, was elected for a fifth term in November. It is not up for re-election until 2026.
Medium G.O.P. The senator has defended his vote. In a Feb. 13 speech on the Senate floor, he said Trump’s “action to interfere in the peaceful transition of power – our Constitution and the identity of American democracy – is an abuse of power and a cause for condemnation.”
.
