Sen. Susan Collins said a longstanding tremor affecting her hand and voice has no impact on her ability to serve as she prepares for a potentially competitive reelection campaign in Maine.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Susan Collins revealed this week that trembling in her hand and voice is caused by a condition known as benign essential tremor, addressing growing public attention surrounding her age and health as she seeks reelection in 2026.
Collins, 73, disclosed the condition during an interview with NewsCenterMaine, saying she has experienced the tremor throughout her entire Senate career.
“What I have is an extremely common condition that is called a benign essential tremor,” Collins said, according to The Hill.
“I have had it for the entire time that I have served in the United States Senate. It has absolutely no impact on my ability to do my job or how I feel each day,” she added.
Collins has served in the Senate since 1996 and remains one of the longest-serving Republicans in the chamber.
Her disclosure comes as age and health issues continue drawing heightened scrutiny in American politics following concerns surrounding former President Joe Biden during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Collins’s health and longevity are expected to become more prominent issues during the 2026 Senate race, particularly given the generational contrast with likely Democratic challenger Graham Platner, who is 41 years old.
Platner emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee after Janet Mills opted not to enter the race.
The Maine Senate contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 election cycle.
Despite Maine’s tendency to support Democratic presidential candidates in recent decades, Collins has repeatedly maintained strong crossover support and has historically outperformed polling expectations in statewide races.
Collins remains one of the few remaining moderate Republicans representing a politically divided state and has frequently played a pivotal role in closely contested Senate votes.
Benign essential tremor is a neurological movement disorder that commonly causes involuntary shaking, particularly in the hands, voice, or head. The condition is generally not considered life-threatening and often progresses gradually over time.
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