Recent polling makes me worried that Maine voters are going to see a name they know, maybe even like, and not think twice.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Angus King is right about war with Iran | Steve Collins
Maine’s junior senator has some serious questions about the Trump administration’s handling of the conflict. So do I.
Democrats must not be ruled out of Maine’s 2nd District race | Steve Collins
Paul LePage probably shouldn’t start apartment shopping in D.C. just yet.
Auburn debate was a sad display of Maine’s broken politics | Steve Collins
The clash between Republican Bobby Charles and Democrat Troy Jackson only occasionally put issues ahead of insults.
Rockport tree poisoning case reminds us you can’t put a price on reputation | Steve Collins
When money doesn’t act as a deterrent, what does?
If we fail to preserve Maine’s history, we will lose it | Steve Collins
We can’t just assume that the records of preceding generations will exist for our descendants as they have for us.
Maine’s minor parties finally have a fair shot at the ballot | Steve Collins
The state now allows unenrolled voters to sign candidate petitions. It’s a small — and needed — victory for democracy.
If Lincoln had stuck with Hannibal Hamlin, we’d be in a better place | Steve Collins
His 1864 decision to drop his vice president from the ticket is a regretful one in American history.
Wrong to challenge support for a still-recovering Lewiston | Steve Collins
Those disputing the allocation of funding donated in response to the 2023 mass shooting are taking a narrow view of how a community begins to heal.
Public response to ICE makes me proud to live in Maine | Steve Collins
The fight against the agency’s ‘enhanced activities’ is inspiring.