Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

B.See

(9,014 posts)
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:16 AM 16 hrs ago

'This Is Oligarchy': Nearly 100 Billionaires Are Funding Susan Collins' Reelection Bid

‘This Is Oligarchy’: Nearly 100 Billionaires Are Funding Susan Collins’ Reelection Bid - Common Dreams “While Susan Collins’ campaign is backed by billionaire donors, our campaign is built on a movement funded by the people, with an average donation of $26,” said Graham Platner’s campaign manager.

A new analysis of campaign finance data shows that nearly 100 billionaires and their spouses have contributed to Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ reelection bid so far, funneling nearly $10 million to the incumbent’s campaign committee and PACs supporting her effort to fend off progressive challenger Graham Platner.

The Maine Monitor on Thursday published a list of billionaires who have donated to Collins and Platner, who has called his Republican opponent a “corrupt” protector and beneficiary of an oligarchic political system. The outlet noted that Collins’ billionaire donation total “stands in stark contrast with the fundraising of her opponent... whose campaign has mostly attracted smaller amounts of funds but from many more people.”

Collins’ largest billionaire donor to date came from Ken Griffin, a hedge fund manager who pumped $2.5 million into Pine Tree Results, a Super PAC supporting the five-term Republican incumbent. Collins’ network has also received at least $1 million from Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, New Balance chair James Davis, and hedge fund manager Paul Singer.

In 2017, Collins voted for legislation that delivered massive tax breaks to large corporations and American billionaires, whose collective wealth surged to $8.1 trillion last year. ProPublica reported that private equity became Collins’ “most reliable source of donations” after she withdrew an amendment to the 2017 legislation that would have targeted one of the industry’s beloved tax breaks.
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'This Is Oligarchy': Nearly 100 Billionaires Are Funding Susan Collins' Reelection Bid (Original Post) B.See 16 hrs ago OP
Then folks need to vote for the person that will represent them Keepthesoulalive 16 hrs ago #1
Sure the Billionaires want to keep Cha 15 hrs ago #2
And YET Some Democrats Wonder If We Should Massively Tax .... ColoringFool 15 hrs ago #3
And they gravitate towards astroturfed bullshit like plastic flies Ponietz 15 hrs ago #5
Lindsey Graham is also in line for their Inkey 15 hrs ago #4
What's she going to do with all the money when she loses? littlemissmartypants 15 hrs ago #6
Kick dalton99a 14 hrs ago #7
I'm sure she's concerned about this information. cstanleytech 14 hrs ago #8
Mainer's gotta be asking themselves, why would billionaires Buddyzbuddy 13 hrs ago #9
They think everyone can be bought. B.See 24 min ago #10
"Collins: a candidate for the billionaires among us!" struggle4progress 5 min ago #11

Keepthesoulalive

(2,442 posts)
1. Then folks need to vote for the person that will represent them
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:31 AM
16 hrs ago

Billionaires have almost destroyed this country, it’s up to us to become better informed voters.

Cha

(321,349 posts)
2. Sure the Billionaires want to keep
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:50 AM
15 hrs ago

Fascists like Collins and Putin owned PEDO in charge. They don't want one penny taken away from their Billions. . And, they'll give Millions to Collins to keep it from happening.

And, selling their country to the highest bidder is just icing on their sutpid ugly cake.

ColoringFool

(1,341 posts)
3. And YET Some Democrats Wonder If We Should Massively Tax ....
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 02:09 AM
15 hrs ago

Billionaires, because .....a couple of them give to charities.

Inkey

(564 posts)
4. Lindsey Graham is also in line for their
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 02:14 AM
15 hrs ago

Largess.

Act Blue must really be a thorn in their side.
Ohio Organizing Collaborative is also on their radar.
I hope there are more people pulling for their State and Country
out there !!!

Buddyzbuddy

(2,987 posts)
9. Mainer's gotta be asking themselves, why would billionaires
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 04:17 AM
13 hrs ago

be so interested in keeping Collins in office?
I guess they think Maine is for sale.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»'This Is Oligarchy': Near...