Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik Backs Collins, Citing $5 Million Grant

The Passamaquoddy Tribe's Pleasant Point reservation has endorsed Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins over Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, the first time a Maine tribe has backed her in a Senate campaign, the Bangor Daily News reported on October 15.

In a letter to Collins, Chief Pos Bassett credited the senator with three decades of work on the economy of the tribe and Washington County. He pointed to $5 million in federal money Collins obtained for a replacement wastewater treatment plant and collection system at Pleasant Point. Bassett said tribal leaders met with Collins in 2025 about risks to the existing plant from shoreline erosion, higher storm surges and rising tides, and that a failure would affect an elder housing complex, homes, businesses and surrounding marine waters.

Collins said she was honored by the endorsement and would keep working with the state's tribes. The nod fits her campaign argument that she delivers federal dollars to Maine.

Collins has not endorsed broader tribal sovereignty changes, saying those are matters for the Legislature and governor, while a spokesperson said she supports tribes governing their own affairs and has backed extending federal programs such as the Violence Against Women Act to them. Jackson has pledged to push for tribal self-determination.

Chiefs of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseets endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree in early October 2026.

This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.