U.S. Sen. Susan Collins discussed a medical diagnosis for the first time publicly as her re-election campaign for a sixth term in the U.S. Senate sparked questions about her health.
The Maine Republican revealed she has a benign essential tremor in an interview with News Center Maine, explaining that she has had the condition for years and it has had “no impact” on her abilities to serve in Congress, which she has done since she was first elected in 1996. Collins responded to the health questions after recent videos sparked online speculation about her age and ability to serve another term.
Susan Collins, 73, attacked for age and health concerns: ‘She was vibrating like an electric toothbrush’ https://t.co/uutiQM1uDk
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“What I have is an extremely common condition that is called a benign essential tremor. I have had it for the entire time that I have served in the United States Senate,” the 73-year-old senator told the outlet.
“It has absolutely no impact on my ability to do my job or on how I feel each day,” Collins added.
“If you talk to anybody in Washington, they will tell you that I am the hardest working person that they have ever worked with, and the fact is I’ve never missed a single vote in all the time that I’ve been honored to represent the people of Maine,” she said of her more-than-three-decade tenure. “I think that’s pretty good evidence of the fact that I am blessed with great health.”
(Video: News Center Maine/YouTube)
Collins reiterated to the outlet that this condition has had “zero impact” on her job or “ability to function.”
“It’s inconvenient at times, but that’s all,” she said.
A clip announcing Collins’ re-election bid made the rounds on social media over the last few months, sparking discussions about her age and health, with many noting the visible shaking in her hands and voice.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
Essential tremor is a nervous system condition, also known as a neurological condition. It causes rhythmic shaking that you can’t control. Essential tremor can affect almost any part of the body, but the trembling happens most often in the hands. The trembling occurs especially when doing simple tasks, such as drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces.
ADVERTISEMENTEssential tremor usually is not a dangerous condition. However, it typically worsens over time and can be severe for some people. Other conditions don’t cause essential tremor, but essential tremor sometimes is confused with Parkinson’s disease.
The longest-serving Republican woman in the Senate is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who has also been asked about health challenges.
“I’ve got a couple herniated discs. My shoulder’s a wreck. My knees bother me. The VA gives me physical therapy for those things. I was also diagnosed with PTSD,” he told News Center Maone last October.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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