Politics in Maine is usually about town halls, LL Bean boots, and local lobster tallies. But lately, things have gotten a lot more expensive. If you’ve been following the money in the Pine Tree State, you’ve probably heard the figure Susan Collins 2 million thrown around in a few different, and very heated, contexts.
It’s not just one check. Honestly, the number has become a sort of shorthand for the massive amounts of cash flowing into (and out of) the state’s political machinery.
Whether it was the $2 million that billionaire Steve Schwarzman reportedly funneled to a pro-Collins PAC right before a major tax vote, or the $2 million in federal funding she recently secured for Maine labs, the numbers are dizzying. To understand why people are so fired up, we have to look at how these millions are reshaping the career of Maine’s longest-serving Senator.
The Schwarzman Connection: A $2 Million Vote?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. In 2025, reports surfaced—most notably from Rolling Stone—linking a massive $2 million donation to a specific legislative moment.
Basically, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman donated $2 million to Pine Tree Results PAC, a Super PAC backing Susan Collins. This happened just a day before she cast a critical vote to advance a GOP budget bill. This wasn't just any bill; it contained tax breaks that private equity giants like Blackstone find particularly "precious."
Critics, including the Maine Democratic Party, were quick to call it a "pay-to-play" scenario. They argued that while the bill threatened to cut healthcare for millions, it protected the "carried interest" loophole that billionaires love.
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Collins’ office, of course, hit back hard. Her press secretary, Blake Kernen, pointed out that the vote would have advanced anyway because Vice President JD Vance was there to break any tie. Her team maintains that her votes are never for sale. But in politics, perception is often reality. For many Mainers, seeing Susan Collins 2 million linked to a Wall Street billionaire felt like a betrayal of her moderate, "Main-first" brand.
Crowdpac and the Kavanaugh Ghost
Wait, let's back up. The "2 million" figure actually started haunting Collins way back in 2018 during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation.
Back then, a grassroots campaign on a platform called Crowdpac did something pretty wild. They told Collins: "Vote 'No' on Kavanaugh, or we give this money to your future opponent."
- They started with a goal of $1.3 million.
- It quickly blew past $2 million.
- By the time she actually voted "Yes," the pot was over $3.5 million.
Collins called this "bribery" and "extortion." She told 60 Minutes that it was a "classic quid-pro-quo." But for the activists, it was just democracy in action—people putting their money where their values were. That $2 million (and then some) eventually went to Sara Gideon’s campaign in 2020. That race became the most expensive in Maine history. It was a total circus.
Not All Millions Are Controversial
It isn't all dark money and attack ads, though. Recently, the Susan Collins 2 million figure popped up in a much more positive headline—at least if you’re a fan of science.
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As the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins announced she had secured $1,935,000 (okay, basically $2 million) for the MDI Biological Laboratory. This wasn't a campaign donation; it was "Congressionally Directed Spending," which is the fancy new word for earmarks.
This money is slated for a new Center for Advancing Science Education and Entrepreneurship in Bar Harbor. It’s the kind of thing Collins has built her career on: bringing home the bacon to Maine. While her critics focus on the Wall Street cash, her supporters point to these millions as proof that her seniority in Washington pays off for local students and scientists.
Why These Numbers Matter for 2026
Why are we still talking about this? Because the 2026 midterms are looming.
Collins is facing what might be her toughest challenge yet. Candidates like Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine veteran, are already using these financial ties as a weapon. They’re painting her as the "poster child for the oligarchy."
The strategy is simple: link the Susan Collins 2 million from Schwarzman to the high cost of living for regular Mainers.
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It's a tough spot for a Senator who has long positioned herself as a bridge-builder. You've got the Federalist Society donors on one side and the grassroots Crowdpac-style anger on the other. It’s a lot of noise.
Making Sense of the Money
If you're trying to track the influence of money in Maine politics, here's what you actually need to keep an eye on:
- Super PAC Transparency: Watch the Pine Tree Results PAC filings. Super PACs don't have the same limits as individual campaigns, making them the preferred vehicle for "2 million dollar" splashes.
- The "Moderate" Balancing Act: See if Collins introduces any amendments that target private equity. If she doesn't, the Schwarzman narrative will stick.
- Earmark Accountability: Check if the federal funds for MDI Biological Laboratory actually translate to jobs. Local impact is her best defense against "out-of-state" influence claims.
The reality of Susan Collins 2 million is that it's complicated. It’s part bribe (to some), part constituent service (to others), and part inevitable side effect of being a powerful Senator in a polarized country. Honestly, the only thing we can be sure of is that the numbers are only going to get bigger from here.
To stay informed, you should regularly check OpenSecrets for updated donor lists and the FEC website for PAC disclosures. Understanding who pays for the ads on your TV is the first step in seeing past the spin.