Susan Collins will not move off script | Letter
Kennebunk Resident Criticizes Senator Collins in Letter to the Editor
A letter sent to The Press Herald on March 24, 2026 by Leo Ojala, a resident of Kennebunk, expressed frustration with the conduct of state Sen. Collins during the 2026 election cycle. Ojala’s commentary was part of the newspaper’s broader coverage of Maine’s upcoming elections.
Ojala began his letter by stating that he expects elected officials to act with “courage and courtesy” when addressing their constituents. He alleged that Sen. Collins has “refused to take questions” from voters, according to his account. The letter goes on to describe how Collins, according to Ojala, “hides behind a veil of smear advertising, paid for by those from away who have no interest in Maine.” The writer contends that these outside advertisers are investing in Collins’ allegiance to them rather than in the interests of local voters.
The letter also claims that the senator will rely on a “theater of scripted ‘debate’” facilitated by a media outlet that, Ojala says, “profits outrageously from that advertising.” He argues that the media has not demonstrated the courage to ask meaningful questions, implying that the public will be misled by a “charade.”
In contrast, Ojala praises former Maine House Speaker Troy Jackson for his handling of an unscripted town‑hall event. He writes: “I’ve gone to a ‘town hall’ with Troy Jackson. He took random unscripted questions from a big audience of everyday people. He was asked some hard ones. He answered them forthrightly. He has the courage and character to earn my vote.” The letter’s tone is clearly supportive of Jackson’s candidacy and critical of Collins’ approach to public engagement.
Ojala’s letter was published on The Press Herald as part of the outlet’s ongoing reporting on Maine’s 2026 election. While the letter reflects one voter’s perspective, it highlights broader concerns about how candidates communicate with constituents and the influence of outside money on campaign messaging.
