Firefighters Union Endorses Susan Collins for Re-election
The Professional Firefighters of Maine backed Senator Collins following her work to secure federal infrastructure funding.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Elections
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The Professional Firefighters of Maine and the International Association of Fire Fighters officially endorsed Senator Susan Collins for re-election. The union pointed to her success in securing federal support for local infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
The endorsement highlights the union's support for Collins' record in obtaining federal resources for fire departments. This funding has proven critical to maintaining and upgrading emergency response facilities across the state.
Senator Collins secured $87 million in federal funding used to improve or replace 45 fire stations throughout Maine. These funds were allocated during her tenure as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The players
Susan Collins
Susan Collins is a United States Senator from Maine currently seeking re-election.
Professional Firefighters of Maine
The Professional Firefighters of Maine is a labor organization representing emergency responders across the state.
International Association of Fire Fighters
The International Association of Fire Fighters is an international labor union representing over 300,000 professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
The details
The union announced their support during a morning event held in Wells. The funding package, which supported projects over a five-year period, aims to modernize emergency infrastructure statewide.
Timeline
The federal funding was secured for fire station projects between 2021 and 2026.
The union announced its formal endorsement of Senator Collins in Wells on October 22, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents often argue that targeted federal appropriations can prioritize specific local projects over broader national fiscal goals. This endorsement highlights the tension between securing localized infrastructure benefits and broader debate over federal spending habits.
The completed upgrades to 45 fire stations across the state mean that residents in those areas should benefit from improved emergency response facilities. Taxpayers in these districts may see long-term savings as outdated structures are replaced with modern, more efficient buildings.
The takeaway
This endorsement demonstrates the influence of infrastructure funding on labor relations in electoral politics. Residents should keep an eye on how these facility improvements translate into local emergency service delivery in their specific communities.
Further reading
For more on local races, visit the Maine Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGME2.
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