Sen Susan Collins dubbed 'spineless' as she plans to ditch Donald Trump by voting Nikki Haley for president

CARIBOU, MAINE: Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) has confirmed that she plans to cast a write-in vote for former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in the upcoming presidential election, opting not to support former president Donald Trump.

Collins' decision follows her previous statements indicating she would not vote for Trump, receiving renewed attention just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Rep Susan Collins endorses 'favorite candidate' Nikki Haley over Donald Trump

Susan Collins, a Republican, had endorsed the former South Carolina governor for president during the GOP primary this past spring. She also voted to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

“I will not be voting for either candidate. I am going to write in Nikki Haley’s name," said Collins, the senior senator from Maine.

“Ultimately, I have to do what I think is right," she explained according to WMTW.

"I publicly endorsed Nikki Haley, and I wanted her to win. She’s still my favorite candidate, and I think she could do a great job. She’s my choice, and that’s how I’m going to express it.”

She said in late March, after Donald Trump locked up the GOP nomination, that she did not plan to vote for the former president.

“I don’t think it should surprise anyone,” she remarked when discussing her decision not to support Trump at the time, according to The Hill.

Collins had previously also declined to reveal how she voted in the 2020 presidential election when Trump and Biden faced off.

Despite Biden carrying Maine with 53 percent of the vote, Collins still won reelection that year, marking her as the only Senate incumbent to win reelection in a state her party’s presidential nominee lost in 2016 or 2020.

Rep Susan Collins cites Joe Biden's 'cognitive decline' as concerning

In a recent statement, Susan Collins expressed concern over Joe Biden's cognitive abilities after watching the first presidential debate.

Collins told Central Maine that she watched the presidential debate with “a sense of sadness” after observing Biden's struggle.

“I think all of us have had the experience with a loved one or a co-worker or a close friend and have seen cognitive decline,” said Collins, who has known Biden for almost three decades.

"We know that it doesn't get better," she added. She noted that it is up to Biden, his family, and the Democrats to decide who their nominee will be while declining to offer her advice.

Biden has repeatedly insisted his mental state is fine and that he simply had “a bad night” when he faced Trump on national television last month.

He revealed in a recent press conference that his doctors tell him he is good to go and has no issues about his mental health arguing the last time he had tested for cognitive abilities was in February. 

Internet reacts to Susan Collins favoring Nikki Haley over Donald Trump

Netizens fumed over Susan Collins's decision to vote for Nikki Haley ignoring Donald Trump. Users suggested it was a pathetic decision but it will eventually help the former president.

“Collins is an idiot," on lashed out at X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “How spineless of her. Completely on-brand.”

The criticism continued with comments like, “She’ll be disappointed,” and “She needs to retire. Pathetic.”

One user expressed frustration with the Republican Party, stating, “Susan Collins needs to be voted out. We are sick and tired of the Uniparty Republicans.”

Another user pointed out a perceived contradiction, “But Nikki Haley is backing The Treasonous Traitor 34 Convicted Felon Rapist Wannabe Dictator. So indirectly Susan Collins is backing the Traitor!! Pathetic.”

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