Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) continues to face bipartisan backlash for her votes during the Senate's impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Republicans railed against Collins for voting to hear additional witnesses in the trial, but it was her vote to acquit the President—and her defense for doing so—that gave her frontrunning Democratic challenger—Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon—the perfect ammo.
Collins said of Trump after announcing she'd vote to acquit:
"The President has been impeached. That's a pretty big lesson."
Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Sara Gideon, is the frontrunner among Democrats vying to challenge Collins in 2020. Who makes the November ballot will be decided in Maine's June Senate primary.
Collins is one of the lowest rated Senators in the entire country, so Democrats have a real shot to flip the seat from red to blue. Gideon is polling ahead of Collins already and continues to gain support.
And this latest campaign ad can only help.
Watch below.
No matter how many times she tries to dodge the question, we know the answer: The only thing President Trump has… https://t.co/cxdadirrym— Sara Gideon (@Sara Gideon) 1581606465.0
The ad highlights Collins' claim that Trump learned a lesson from impeachment.
Played alongside pundits noting how acquittal has only emboldened Trump, the ad highlights Collins' flakiness and her version of moderation, which appears to just be inaction.
If Twitter is any indication, Gideon will likely see a boost from the well-timed ad.
WARNING: The truth of this video may be too 🔥🔥 for early morning viewing. Proceed with caution. #mepolitics https://t.co/FlYDMnJfKh— Haley (@Haley) 1581607210.0
Senator Susan Collins had her chance to hold Trump accountable—she refused. Let's hold her accountable this Novemb… https://t.co/ZdyUylb8tm— kasey o'brien (@kasey o'brien) 1581609065.0
Does anyone really think Trump learned a lesson? Anyone? Anyone? No? Got it. @SaraGideon speaking truth to power… https://t.co/k8DY6qizuk— Madeline Shiley (@Madeline Shiley) 1581607640.0
#GOPComplicitTraitors #VoteBlue2020 #MASen Vote @SaraGideon to return Maine to the people and end the Trump rubber… https://t.co/ilvHhJh5Zn— Just another Minnesotan (@Just another Minnesotan) 1581606694.0
#Maine vote her out #dumpCollins #VoteBlueNoMatterWho2020 https://t.co/8o51W4INBX— Sandra Bernhard (@Sandra Bernhard) 1581609731.0
Vote #SaraGideonForSenate https://t.co/g63rhcIuz2— Tara ✍️ (@Tara ✍️) 1581611722.0
You can donate to Gideon's campaign here.