Biddeford police are investigating after Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Maine) office was vandalized with red paint and graffiti overnight on Monday, November 7, marking the second such incident in two months.
The vandalism occurred one day before the midterm elections, with the words ‘BLOOD on her HANDS’ spray-painted in red on the sidewalk outside the office. Collins’ chief of staff, Katie Brown, confirmed the incident in a statement to multiple outlets, calling the act ‘disturbing’ and an attempt at intimidation.
Collins’ campaign stated the office remained open and operational despite the vandalism. Biddeford police confirmed they are investigating the incident, according to Collins’ campaign.
-- Immediate Response and Official Statements --
Collins, who is up for reelection on Tuesday, condemned the vandalism in remarks to CBS News, emphasizing the impact on her staff. ‘This is so unacceptable, and it’s unfair to my caseworkers who are working there,’ she said. ‘Fortunately, they refuse to be intimidated by this and the office is open and doing business today.’
Collins’ challenger, former Democratic state Sen. Troy Jackson, issued a statement condemning the act. ‘There’s no place for this in Maine. Vandalism and intimidation are wrong, full stop,’ Jackson said. He added that Collins and her staff ‘should be able to do their jobs without anyone defacing their office.’
Jackson’s campaign did not respond to requests for further comment from either The Epoch Times or Fox News Digital.
-- Context and Background --
This is the second time in two months the Biddeford office has been targeted. In September, the office was vandalized with the phrase ‘Trump whore’ spray-painted on the door, according to Republican state Sen. Matt Harrington. Collins’ campaign did not provide additional details on the September incident beyond Harrington’s account.
The Biddeford office is located near the scene of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer-involved shooting in July, where a law enforcement officer fatally shot Johan Sebastián Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian national. Protests erupted shortly after the shooting, with demonstrators entering the office and chanting ‘vote her out.’
Collins, first elected to the Senate in 1996, has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over her voting record, particularly on issues related to immigration and judicial confirmations. Her reelection bid has drawn significant attention, with Jackson positioned as her Democratic opponent following a chaotic primary season that briefly left Democrats without a candidate.
-- Ongoing Investigation and Election Impact --
Biddeford police confirmed they are investigating the incident, though no suspects have been identified. Collins’ campaign did not indicate whether additional security measures were being implemented at the office.
The vandalism occurred as Maine voters prepared to cast ballots in a closely watched Senate race. Collins, a moderate Republican, has been a key figure in the Senate, often serving as a swing vote on contentious legislation. Her reelection bid has drawn national attention, with both parties closely monitoring the outcome in a state that has trended competitive in recent elections.
Neither Collins’ nor Jackson’s campaigns responded to requests for further comment from Fox News Digital or The Epoch Times regarding the vandalism or its potential impact on the election.