Republican Senator Susan Collins has publicly disclosed for the first time that she has a benign essential tremor, a long-standing health condition, as she campaigns for reelection in one of this year's most competitive Senate races.
The Maine senator confirmed the tremor to WCSH-TV on Wednesday, following questions about her health that arose from recent video appearances, including her campaign announcement. Collins stated the condition causes trembling in her hands, head, and voice, and she has lived with it throughout her nearly three-decade career in the Senate.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Collins emphasised that the condition affects millions of Americans over 40, 'does not interfere' with her work, and is not neurodegenerative. 'The tremor is occasionally inconvenient, and sometimes the subject of cruel comments online, but it does not hinder my ability to work,' she said.
The health and age of candidates have come under increased scrutiny in high-profile elections, particularly after President Joe Biden, 81, announced he would not seek reelection. Questions have also persisted about President Donald Trump, 79, who has been observed with bruising on his hand due to chronic venous insufficiency.
Collins' seat is a key target for Democrats. Her likely opponent is Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, who has openly discussed his own health challenges, including chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. Platner holds a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but continues his work.
First elected in 1996, Collins has maintained a streak of 9,966 consecutive Senate votes, the second-longest in the chamber’s history. Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health, and occurs when nerves do not properly communicate with certain muscles.
