Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) disclosed she has a benign essential tremor during an interview in Portland, Maine [1, 3].
The disclosure comes as the 73-year-old senator [2] seeks a sixth term in the November 2026 election [2]. By addressing the condition publicly, Collins aims to reassure voters that her health does not impair her ability to serve in the U.S. Senate.
During an interview with WCSH, Collins said the tremor is an "extremely common condition" [1]. She clarified that the physical symptom is unrelated to her memory or mental acuity.
"I have a benign essential tremor, but it hasn't affected my job or how I feel," Collins said [2].
The senator has served in the Senate since 1997 [2]. For nearly 30 years, she has been a fixture in the U.S. legislative process, and the disclosure seeks to preempt health-related questions that often surface during high-profile campaigns [2, 3].
Collins said the condition is distinct from cognitive decline. "The benign essential tremor is common and unrelated to my cognitive abilities and memory," she said [3].
The public disclosure occurred on May 6, 2026 [4]. The senator's decision to open up about the tremor follows a pattern of candidates providing health transparency to maintain voter confidence during election cycles.
“"It's an extremely common condition."”
This disclosure is a strategic move to neutralize potential political vulnerabilities regarding the age and health of long-serving officials. By framing the tremor as a common, non-cognitive physical ailment, Collins seeks to separate a visible physical symptom from her mental fitness to govern during her 2026 re-election bid.
