PORTLAND — Maine Democrats on Thursday questioned a vote by Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins to oppose the release of the Epstein files in September 2025, two months before she voted for the files to be made public.

At an event in Portland, Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, two state lawmakers and a women’s advocate said Collins should have voted to release the files sooner.

“With this vote, Collins once again protected the rich and protected the powerful who are now shoveling money into her reelection campaign,” Murphy-Anderson said.

In response, Collins’ spokeswoman Blake Kernen said Collins did vote to release the files in November of that year. An Associated Press story on the September vote indicated the Senate voted 51-49 to reject changes to a defense authorization bill seeking to release the files.

Collins voted with the majority to defeat the changes, blaming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for blocking her effort in July to have the files released.

“Senator Collins has always supported releasing the Epstein files,” Kernen said. “She opposed Sen. Schumer’s messaging amendment because it was on the wrong bill.”

 On Thursday, Kernen also pointed to a press release that followed the November vote.

“I support the release of the Epstein files,” Collins said in a statement. “This is an important step for the survivors of these heinous crimes.” 

President Donald Trump signed the bill in November after it passed the House and Senate.

Collins is facing Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, on the Nov. 3 ballot. A Jackson spokeswoman said he supports the release of the files.

“Unlike Susan Collins who always puts billionaires and Trump first, Troy would immediately vote to release the Epstein files,” said Maggie Amjad.

For weeks, the Maine Democratic Party has held press conferences to critique her record as senator.

On Thursday, the Democrats tied the delayed vote in support of the Epstein file release not only to fundraising, but to other votes Collins has taken to confirm Supreme Court justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.

In June 2022, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch voted with the majority to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which had guaranteed a federal right to abortion before fetal viability.

“Collins had previously said she believed both justices viewed Roe v. Wade as settled precedent,” said Rep. Nina Milliken (D-Blue Hill). “This disastrous decision has led to excruciating consequences for women and girls across the United States.”