Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has revealed she has lengthy lived with a benign important tremor after she launched her re-election marketing campaign for a sixth time period within the US Senate.
Collins, 73, disclosed the situation — which causes seen shaking in her arms, head and voice — publicly for the primary time on Wednesday whereas she insisted that it has not impacted her capability to serve in workplace.
“I’ve had it for your entire time that I’ve served in the US Senate,” Collins advised NEWS CENTER Maine. “It has completely no influence on my capability to do my job or on how I really feel every day.”
Collins, first elected in 1996, mentioned she has by no means missed a Senate flooring vote throughout her practically 30 years in workplace — a streak approaching 10,000 consecutive votes — and pointed to that document as proof she stays wholesome sufficient to proceed serving.
“If you happen to speak to anyone in Washington, they are going to inform you that I’m the toughest working person who they’ve ever labored with, and the actual fact is I’ve by no means missed a single vote in on a regular basis that I’ve been honored to symbolize the folks of Maine,” Collins mentioned.
“I believe that’s fairly good proof of the truth that I’m blessed with nice well being.”
Collins added her situation has had “zero influence” on her job efficiency or “capability to operate.”
“It’s inconvenient at instances, however that’s all,” she mentioned.
Collins, a fixture in US politics for 3 a long time, is the longest-serving member of Congress from Maine and the longest-serving Republican girl at present serving within the Senate.
Important tremor is a nervous system situation that causes rhythmic shaking that an individual can not management, in response to the Mayo Clinic.
The situation can have an effect on nearly any a part of the physique, however the trembling most frequently seems within the arms.
The Mayo Clinic says it’s typically not harmful, although it usually worsens over time and may be extreme in some circumstances.
It’s generally mistaken for Parkinson’s illness, however it’s a separate situation. There isn’t any identified strategy to forestall it.
Dr. Rees Cosgrove, chief of the Division of Useful Neurosurgery at Mass Basic Brigham in Boston, mentioned important tremor impacts about 5% of adults over 40 and roughly 20% of individuals over 65.
In February, Collins introduced her reelection bid.
“That is excellent for 2026,” Collins mentioned as she opened a brand new field of sneakers in her marketing campaign video. “As a result of I’m working!”
Collins’ Democratic challenger and left-wing populist Graham Platner has additionally confronted questions on his well being throughout his marketing campaign.
The 41-year-old Iraq and Afghanistan veteran has mentioned he suffers from PTSD and combat-related accidents after serving 4 excursions abroad.
Final month, the Submit solely reported that Platner as soon as defended a Marine who urinated on a lifeless Taliban fighter.
