An Open “Thank You” Letter to Senator Collins

On Friday, January 31, 2020, Senator Susan Collins was one of only two Republican senators to vote for witnesses in the impeachment trial. In doing so, she showed courage and independence that should be commended. Mormon Women for Ethical Government wrote the following open letter to Senator Collins, which hundreds of citizens have signed to echo their thanks.

Dear Senator Collins,

We are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and the unaffiliated. Our combined voices represent the majority of American voters who wanted witnesses in the impeachment trial. Thank you for voting for those witnesses, especially in the face of opposition of many in your party. We need courageous, independent leaders such as yourself to stand up for truth at this time.

With gratitude,

Claudia Belden, Smyrna, TN

LuAnn Binschus, Tacoma, WA

Rebecca Clayton, Federal Way, WA

Though I do not live in Maine, my son lives in Windham. Therefore I pay more attention to you than to most senators not from my state. Thank you for joining our Mitt Romney in voting for a real trial instead of a sham. Your courage is appreciated.
Nancy Cropper, Murray, UT

Megan Woods, Garden City, UT

Thank you for your consistent integrity.
Marjorie Rice, North Ogden, UT

Thank you for doing the right thing despite the difficulty.
Holly Urbancic, Ammon, ID

My mother and father-in-law live in Maine and they watch carefully how you vote to influence how they vote in the next election. They both wanted more witnesses and also are in favor of impeaching Trump for his misdeeds that have evidence from the house hearings. Thank you for putting country above party.
Emily Bates, Denver, CO

Jeanine Bean, Turlock, CA

Laura Mercer, Madera, CA

Rachel Andrist, Lehi, UT

Shanna Ormond, Pleasant Grove, UT

Mckell Bennett, Livermore, CA

Thank you so much, Senator Collins, for upholding the Constitutional right to hold a trial with witnesses and for standing on the side of ethics. I appreciate your strength in going against the crowds to do what is right.
Cathy Callow-Heusser, Salt Lake City, UT

Kambree Miller, Kaysville, UT

Cathy Hull, Johnstown, CO

Kim Jacobson, Logan, UT

Thank you, Senator Collins, for having integrity when there seems to be so little in supply in our nation’s leaders. Knowing the backlash you would face, you gave me hope that there is still good. Thank you for taking a stand and showing great courage.
Lydia Beck, Blackfoot, ID

Thank you for standing up for what you believe. I hope your choices inspire others.
Joanna McCormick, Helena, MT

Thank you for such a show of integrity. Thank you for the love of our country.
Raevon Day, Portland, OR

Valerie Illguth, Twin Falls, ID

Ashley Roth, Lehi, UT

Thank you for doing the right thing for our country — as you know the truth will come out
Kim Mender, Lebanon, NH

Stacie Powers, Provo, UT

Jenne Alderks, Bothell, WA

Lauren Arrington, Denver, CO

Abby Greenwald, Washington, VA

Thank you for your integrity. I wish there were more senators like you.
Angelica Lloyd, Sacramento, CA

Beth Isernhagen, Spring, TX

Susan Shreeve, Ogden, UT

Liz Osborn, Longmont, CO

Catherine Eslinger, Vineyard, UT

Deborah Christensen, Seattle, WA

Emily Peterson, Mayfield, UT

Brittney Thompson, Newfields, NH

Tiani Coleman, Amherst, NH

Sharlee Mullins Glenn, Pleasant Grove, UT

Julie McCandless, Woods Cross, UT

Debra Hong, Pleasant Grove, UT

Jillian Tueller, Providence, UT

Erin Traverso, Wallingford, PA

Sue Womack, Springville, UT

Emily Jepsen, Gilbert, AZ

Thank you for making us feel like someone was listening to our voice.
Laura Trumbo, Pleasant Grove, UT

Kara Edwards, Pleasant grove, UT

Karen Peterson, Hamilton, VA

You will be remembered for your honest heart and bravery. <3
Hannah Pickett, Provo, UT

Sara Grant, Saratoga Springs, UT

MaryLyne Witney, Springville, UT

Natalie Tolley, Colorado Springs, CO

Kalena Makanui, Omaha, NE

Laura Clement, Mesa, AZ

I appreciate the courage it took for you to stand for truth; your action will leave a legacy of integrity, commitment and courage for future generations. Thank you.
Kellie Steiner, Eugene, OR

Veronica Austin, Gilmer, TX

Leslie Zabriskie, Centerville, UT

Tia Barth, Los Gatos, CA

Gayla Wilson, Boise, ID

Erica Perich, Sumter, SC

Veronika Tait, Saratoga Springs, UT

Thank you for your integrity.
Kay Baldwin, Fort Collins, CO

Sarah Clark, Hedgesville, WV

Danica Baird, Herrimn, UT

I appreciate your being a diligent juror and keeping your oath to consider all of the evidence. I urge you to vote carefully as I feel this nation will be forever changed if there is no consequence for seeking foreign help into our affairs.
Vilo Westwood, Kettering, OH

Amy David, Quincy, MA

Thank you for your integrity and courage!
Emily Righter, Tomball, TX

Linda Newton, Rexburg, ID

Heather Voss, Herriman, UT

Amy Brown, Olivette, MO

Callie Hamblin, Kaysville, UT

Dan Cragun, Eugene, OR

Karen Buhler, Oak Park, IL

Gail Berry, Leander, TX

Thank you for doing what is right, for putting country above party.
Alice Barnes, Salt Lake City, UT

Melissa Clark, West Valley, UT

Kristin Randall, North Salt Lake, UT

Erin Kurtz, Alameda, CA

Steffani Thomas, Bristow, VA

Thank you for doing the right thing even though it was hard to do!
Ashleigh Barton, Springfield, MO

Kathy Wilhelmsen, Draper, UT

Anika Criddle, Williamsburg, VA

Janel Hulbert, Roy, UT

Kirstin Smith, Sandy, UT

Lalani Lyman, Pleasant Grove, UT

Audrey Andersen, Orem, UT

Thank you for standing for what is right despite party pressure. The American people deserved a full and fair trial and though they did not receive it your vote mattered and is noticed.
Camille Warner, Lehi, UT

Arielle Miller, Madison, AL

Thank you, Senator, for standing for what is right even if it isn’t popular. Thank you for voting for additional witnesses. Americans deserve a full and fair impeachment trial; I appreciate your efforts to make that happen.
Christina Black, Mesa, AZ

Thank you for voting for a fair and balanced process.
Rebecca Garcia, Las Vegas, NV

Thank you so much for your integrity. Please don’t stop. The haters are loud but that doesn’t make them right.
Natalie Greaves, Meridian, ID

Christine Miller, Springville, UT

Bridgette Despain, South Jordan, UT

Jennifer Meredith, Kaysville, UT

Kathy Scoffield, Peoria, AZ

Lani Blood, Orem, UT

Lori McGinn, Orem, UT

Misty DeRosier, League City, TX

Dianr Gusa, Lisbon, NY

Robin VanderRoest, Kalamazoo, MI

Joan Haven, Millcreek, UT

S. Brown, Sandy, UT

Alisyn Rogerson, Durham, NC

Claire Hessing, Athol, ID

Susan Pelton, Oakley, ID

Annette Evans Fazzino, Holladay, UT

Tracey Evans, Salt Lake Coty, UT

Please, Senator Collins, keep doing what we all know to be right. Thank you for voting in favor of more witnesses. Please keep your oath to protect our vital and precious Constitution. We need for truth and decency — both — to enter our national government again. I beg this of you.
Suzanne Caskey, Aspen, CO

Chelsea Wang, Carmel, IN

Ken Qian, Carmel, IN

Tough decision. I commend your choice.
Kris Hoffman, Orem, UT

Thank you for acting with integrity!
Amanda Clark, Nibley, UT

Darlene Young, South Jordan, UT

Emily Bastian, Spanish Fork, UT

Carolyn Greenwood, Genola, UT

Emily Palmer, Tucson, AZ

Barbara Lovejoy, Salt Lake City, UT

Dana Edvalson, Worst Linn, OR

Thank you for standing up and being courageous.
Rachel Scholes, Tucson, AZ

Joan Runs Through, St George, UT

Amy Wilson, Highlands Ranch, CO

Leslie Reinhold, Salt Lake City, UT

Susa Alger, Austin, TX

Thank you for having the moral integrity to follow what I assumed would be normal proceedings in a trial — the admission of witnesses.
Gayla Erickson, South Jordan, UT

Julie Savage, Silver Spring, MD

Brooke Lambert, Logan, UT

Kirsten Campbell, Granger, IN

Michelle Hubbard, Pleasant Grove, UT

Kate Monson, Orem, UT

Catherine Crawford, Robbinsville, NJ

Thank you for having the courage to do the right thing!!
Julie Hoffman, Simi Valley, CA

Shelly Johnson-Choong, Port Orchard, WA

Deborah Wager, Albuquerque, NM

Laura Redford, Orem, UT

Shambray Galamb, Vineyard, UT

Diana Alley, Leander, TX

Julia Adams, Springfield, VA

Thank you for your integrity.
J Alan Gift, Harrisville, UT

Caroline Phinney, Salt Lake City, UT

Thank you for having the integrity and the intellect to want to find the full truth. Thank you for showing the world what courageous women can do!
Madeleine Homer, Midvale, UT

Laura van der Horst, Springville, UT

Matt Riddle, South Jordan, UT

Angela GrayCouture, Nauvoo, IL

Thank you so much for voting to allow witnesses and get as much information as possible before making your decision. I wish more politicians were willing to look at the issues rather than follow party politics.
Annie Morgan, Salt Lake City, UT

Margo Gaisford, Orem, UT

Thank you for having integrity!
Haylie Tracy, North Ogden, UT

Lisa Estrada, Pleasant Grove, UT

I appreciate your courage and integrity in voting for more witness testimony. Frankly, it scares me that so many voted against it.
Charmayne Warnock, Alpine, UT

Kara Hill, Yorktown, IN

Janiece Johnson, Provo, UT

Julia Langford, Glendale, AZ

Mary Brandstetter, Cincinnati, OH

Amy Baxter, Orem, UT

Lewis Strasburg, Spanish Fork, UT

Marie Burt, Orem, UT

Cynthia Atwood, Arlington, VA

Integrity is doing what’s right over what’s fast, easy or popular. Thank you for showing leadership through integrity.
Sarah Hunter, American Fork, UT

Lewis Hassell, Oklahoma City, OK

Coral Werner, Provo, UT

Michelle Sayers, West Jordan, UT

Thank you for showing that you are a woman of integrity and courage. Would that all public servants could follow your example of putting country and principle before party.
Nancy Harward, Cincinnati, OH

Anna Perkins, Thornton, CO

Michelle Waddoups, Salt Lake City, UT

Danille Christensen, Blacksburg, VA

Jenny Webb, Woodinville, WA

I am so grateful that you stood up for what was right, even when most of the rest of your party did not. Thank you for your integrity!
Jessica Friedman, Pocatello, ID

Cathy Green, Mattoon, IL

Dear Senator Collins, Thank you for being a woman of integrity. I have been grateful for the ways that you have voted your conscience rather than allowing people to push you around.
Heidi Hemming, Silver Spring, MD

Camille Baker, Holladay, UT

Thank you for being one of only two Republican senators that had the moral fortitude to vote for a fair trial. Your GOP colleagues in the Senate just talked me out of ever voting for another republican. I think this vote cinched it and they have now lost my husband and I forever. Your Kavanaugh vote almost did that… but this was the final straw.
Season Burch, Visalia, CA

Sarah Wright, Rio Rico, AZ

Kay Green, Provo, UT

Wendy Dale, Midvale, UT

Thank you for having the courage to do the right thing and stand up to the retributive Bully in Chief.
Lorelei Draper, Springville, UT

Kirstina Collins, Columbia, SC

Sharon Greenwood, American Fork, UT

Jillaire McMillan, Longmont, CO

Margaret Tanttila, Lovelock, NV

Danielle Corbett, Tucson, AZ

As a former resident of Eagle Lake, Maine, I’m especially glad to have seen my former Senator, and Aroostook County neighbor, stand up for the constitution and rule of law.
Rebecca de Schweinitz, Provo, UT

Thank you, Senator Collins, for doing what is right instead of what is easy in voting for more witnesses.
Maegan Langer, Alpine, UT

Angie Olsen, Wellsville, UT

Tracy Purdy, Pottstown, PA

Emily January Petersen, Farmington, UT

Thank you for your integrity.
Liz Steele, SLC, UT

Elizabeth Myers Toman, Columbus, OH

Jennette Fennimore, Wilmington, DE

Thank you for upholding your oath to protect the constitution and honoring your constituents by voting for a legit trial with witnesses. I appreciate your desire to put your country over your party affiliation. Please don’t let bullies make your future decisions/influence your votes.
Naomi Owuor, Cedar Park, TX

Thank you so much for voting for what most Americans wanted! Your courage to do the right thing is greatly appreciated.
BJ Cluff, Provo, UT

Elizabeth Johnston, Boscobel, WI

Bette Gardner, Glendale, AZ

Denise Hoyle, Salt Lake City, UT

Linda Weitz, Aloha, OR

Thank you for doing what is right!
Tommi Jones, Lincoln, NE

Erin Edgington, Bentonville, AR

Thank you for your courage.
Amy Hunsaker, Reno, NV

Thank you so much for doing what’s right! Leaders like you give me hope for the future of our democracy.
Eliza Esquibel, Lacey, WA

Thank you for your courageous vote.
Janine Price, Orem, UT

Brittany De Leon, Gresham, OR

Libby Boss, Belmont, MA

Diantha Smith, Rexburg, ID

Thank you for your integrity!
Amy Zimmerman, Silver Spring, MD

Voting for witnesses was an obvious right. Thank you for choosing the right.
Alta Alger, Austin, TX

Thank you for standing for truth. Thank you for looking for answers instead of following the herd. There may be many who are upset… but there are far more who want to know truth and appreciate those who stand with integrity!
Dawnelle Linn, Portland, OR

Barbara Sorensen, Gooding, ID

Rebeka McRae, Millcreek, UT

Thank you for speaking for those of us who want to know the truth. Thank you for working to uphold your oath of office.
Becki Wright, Centerville, UT

Thank you for being a role model for women by standing up for truth in the face of opposition!
Melarie Wheat, Draper, UT

Thank you for doing the right thing.
Jill Larson, Loomis, CA

Megan Seawright, Burbank, CA

Thank you! Keep up the good work this week!!
Jenny Wood, Scotts Valley, CA

Brenda Hall, Provo, UT

Thanks for advocating for a fair impeachment process.
Amy Sharpe, San Diego, CA

Leslie Allen, Panaca, NV

I am not a Mormon woman but support their non-partisan advocacy of the rule of law.  I hope you will support country over party in future votes and thank you for this consideration. Thank you. 
Linda Griffen, Salt Lake City, UT

Marianna Martindale, College Park, MD

Patty Roylance, Spokane, WA

Sharman Blood, Highland, UT

Miriam Higginbotham, Woodbridge, VA

Erin Bowers, Salt Lake City, UT

I admire your courage, Senator Collins. Thank you for keeping hope alive that those in our government will act with impartiality, not merely in their own political interest.
Diane Wanamaker, Orem, UT

Thank for making country, principle, and information more important than party.
Maria Bettinson Evans, Holladay, UT

Sabra Gosselin, Cleveland Heights, OH

Liz Brimhall, Palo Alto, CA

Kathy Marchant, Troutdale, OR

Traci Paice, Firestone, CO

Amye Godfrey, Glendale, AZ

Ashley Bowen, Midway, UT

Tiffany Smith, SLC, UT

Eliza Judd, Lacey, WA

Lindsey Fellars, Provo, UT

Thank you for having the COURAGE and INTEGRITY to speak out for truth!
Erin Young, Tooele, UT

Chris Ogden, Lehi, UT

Angela Dixon, Woods Cross, UT

Liz McGuire, New Haven, CT

Mary Seals, Phoenix, AZ

Chad Nielsen, Fresno, CA

Elizabeth Steele, SLC, UT

Thank you for voting for witnesses in the Trump impeachment trial.  I watched Republican senators proclaim that Trump had not received due process, and then days later, vote against calling witnesses. If you want due process, you call witnesses. The hypocrisy is sickening, and I am grateful for your integrity in voting for witnesses. The spectacle of our government is disheartening. If the citizens of the United States elect more people like you, we may have hope.
Megan Needham, Beaverton, OR

Thank you for having the courage to call for impartiality and honor in this solemn process of impeachment trial. I thank you for representing the earnest citizen and the concerned patriot.
Emilee Pugh Bell, Boise, ID

“The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be the truth.” -Albert Einstein
Elizabeth Niccum, Lake Oswego, OR

In these difficult times where your party is not the Republican Party, but the Trump Party, it takes courage to speak out against him. I thank you for your courage to be able to say that you still have the right to vote your conscience… it may not be an option that much longer if people like you don’t step up. Thank you!
Harvey Tanttila, San Tan Valley, AZ

Jason Weaver, Elk Ridge, UT

Thank you for your courage and moral fortitude in a difficult situation. Doing what is right should never be determined by party lines. Thank you for reaching across the aisle.
Lauren Johnson, Lindon, UT

Thank you for your courage on this vote, Senator Collins.
Kelli Frame, Salt Lake City, UT

Susan Hall, SLC, UT

Annette Lyon, American Fork, UT

Barbara Lee, Woodbridge, VA

Roberta Williams, West Henrietta, NY

Thank you for voting with integrity!
Amanda Macdonald, Kansas City, MO

I am so grateful that there are at least a few who make decisions based on facts and conscience. Thank you! Stay strong!
Pamela L Embley, Woods Cross, UT

Lindsay Heaton, Montclair, VA

Melissa Hardin, Cumming, GA

Sherry Marks Walker, Sandpoint, ID

Rebecca Sullivan, Payson, UT

Erin Langford, South Jordan, UT

Jenny Furr, Lehi, UT

Richard Johansen, St. George, UT

Virginia Wiltbank, Tigard, OR

Dorian Cundick, Arlington, VA

Thank you for having the courage of your convictions!
Carol Workman, Mesa, AZ

Melissa Bentley, Salt Lake City, UT

Elizabeth Bighorse, Liberty Lake, WA

Laura Lawrence, Walnut Creek, CA

Elizabeth Marie Van Roosendaal, Millcreek, UT

Anneli Scopazzi, San Francisco, CA

June Wilson, Madison, WI

Pamela Bradley, Las Vegas, NV

McKenna Johnson, Provo, UT

Iona Moore, North Salt Lake, UT

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your courageous vote to promote integrity and truth. I stand tall and speak boldly in your defense to those who would choose to defend corruption and the increasingly questionable interests of any political party over the best interests of our nation. I admire your bravery, I urge you to continue in right-leadership, and I pray that your influence will be felt among your companions in the Senate. Thank you, and may God bless you!
Catherine Bergen, Corrales, NM

Stay strong!
Carolyn Melby, Frederick, MD

LaJean Carruth, Logan, UT

Kathleen MacArthur, Eugene, OR

Laura Elekdag, Washington, DC

Cheryl Myrup, Lexington, KY

Kathlin Ray, Reno, NV

Senator Collins: I live on the opposite side of the country from you, but for years I have been a fan of yours and have watched closely as you make decisions for our country. While my conscience demanded that I remove my name from the Republican Party following the election of President Trump, I remain a fan. We might not always agree completely, but I love that you try to be above partisan politics, and use your judgment and wisdom to courageously do what you feel is best for our country. I’m so grateful for leaders like you! Best.
Julie Slagle, Rexburg, ID

Kallan Larsen, Ann Arbor, MI

Jennefer Walden, Lima, OH

Catherine Call, Anchorage, AK

Chad Hancock, Mapleton, UT

Brenda Petersen, Bountiful, UT

Kimberley Williamson, Highland Village, TX

Brooke Barnes, Provo, UT

Rebekah Francis, Phoenix, AZ

Thanks so very much. Gives me hope that moral right can be seen despite pressures of politics. No matter which party. This was extremely important. Renews faith in humanity.
Jan Speicher, Park Ciry, UT

Thank you for fighting for the right!
Mary Nielson, Sin City West, AZ

Thank you, Senator Collins!
Matthew Tracy, Salt Lake City, UT

Anne-Marie Waddell, Columbus, OH

Emma Addams, Omaha, NE

It’s not an easy time to act on behalf of those of us Republicans who need truly ethical and clear-minded representation within the party in Washington. Thank you for doing your part.
Melody Johnson, Salt Lake City, UT

Marilyn Kline, West Jordan, UT

I appreciate your moral courage and your integrity. That is what our country needs.
Linda Perkes, Biloxi, MS

Thank you for standing for truth and justice.
Julie Lefgren, Salt lake city, UT

Cecily Kiester, Lacey, WA

Sharon Cutler, Idaho Falls, ID

Thank you for having more guts than all of the Republican men, save one. It was a raw display of courage and patriotism.
Jill Jackson, Taylorsville, UT

Thank you for your integrity.
Lauren Cluff, Mesa, AZ

Thank you for your example of wisdom and integrity. Voting for witnesses seems like simple common sense, but in this environment, it took a huge effort of bravery to vote for it on your part. Thank you.
Donna Sorenson, Provo, UT

Marilyn Ames, Pocatello, ID

Norma Velez, South Jordan, UT

Thank you is never enough. But it is all I know to say. Thank you for being more concerned about our country that any political party.  Elizabeth Ann Richardson, Woods Cross, UT