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Schumer’s ‘number one target’ says voters will see her Democrat Senate challenger as too extreme
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HARRISON, Maine — As she runs for a sixth six-year term in the U.S. Senate in left-leaning Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is once again a top target for Democrats.
«I have been the number one target of Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, not only in this campaign, but the last two campaigns as well. I’m always his number one target,» Collins told Fox News Digital in an exclusive national interview this week.
And it’s no different this time around, as Collins seeks re-election in a competitive and high-profile 2026 race that is one of a handful across the country that will likely determine if Republicans keep control of their slim Senate majority.
Facing Collins will likely be military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner, the all-but-certain Democratic nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills, who was backed by Schumer and the Democratic Party establishment, dropped out of the race last week after significantly trailing Platner in fundraising and polling.
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Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a news conference Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lewiston, Maine. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP PHoto)
Platner is supported by progressive champions Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The first-time candidate advocates an economically populist agenda as he takes aim at corporate influences and advocates for the working class.
Asked if Platner is too far to the left for voters in her northern New England state, Collins said, «I believe that will be the conclusion of Maine voters. But obviously I don’t take anything for granted.»
A Republican group supporting Collins is already blasting Platner in a new ad over controversial comments he made over a decade ago on Reddit about women and rape, and a well-publicized tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol.
Among the comments is one from 2013, which Platner later deleted, that people concerned about rape should not «get so f—ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.»
The candidate apologized for his controversial Reddit posts after they made headlines last fall soon after he launched his Senate campaign. Platner has said that he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines stationed in Croatia. He said that he covered up the tattoo with a new design after learning last year that it resembled a Nazi symbol.
Asked if she’ll take aim at Platner over his political baggage, Collins said, «Obviously I’m going to be contrasting my record of achievement and accomplishments with Graham Platner’s approach, which is based in.»
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Sen. Susan Collins of Maine stands for an interview with Fox News Digital in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Collins stopped, before saying, «I don’t want to preview too much of our strategy.»
But the senator added that she’s «hoping that we can have a campaign that is civil, where we discuss issues and accomplishments. That’s my goal.»
Platner, who is running as an outsider, emphasizes that Collins is part of a «broken Washington» and «a generation of politicians who have failed us.»
He has described Collins’ moderate Republican image as a «charade,» highlights her support for some of President Donald Trump’s agenda, and accuses her of being part of a political system that benefits the wealthy. «She and Republican politicians like her have prioritized the interests of billionaires and corporations over people,» he has charged.
Republicans — as the party currently in power in Washington, D.C. — were already up against traditional political headwinds that lead to a loss of congressional seats. Add to that the challenging climate fueled by persistent inflation, rising gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and Trump’s underwater approval ratings.
Asked how she can overcome the blame pointed at Republicans over the high cost of living, Collins noted she’s championed the low income heating assistance program, which «helps low income families and seniors stay warm during the cold winter months. I just recently made sure the final tranche of money was released because there is a lot of need in the state of Maine, and the cost of living is high here.»
Collins also emphasized her opposition to cuts «in food stamp benefits and in other programs that are designed for low income families, because I know how important they are.»
DEMOCRATS BUILD MIDTERM MOMENTUM BUT REPUBLICANS STILL IN DRIVER’S SEAT IN SENATE MAJORITY BATTLE
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine tours a food bank in Harrison, Maine, on May 5, 2026. The food bank was able to expand thanks to federal funding that the senator helped obtain. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
The senator was interviewed at a food bank that expanded thanks to federal funding which Collins helped obtain.
«It is so satisfying to be here today and to know that I played a very small role, but an essential role, in allowing this food bank to expand its community room, its kitchen, and to help it be even more successful,» she touted. «This food bank is extraordinary. It serves more than 1,000 families every week.»
The Democrats’ narrow path to regain control of the Senate flows through Maine, and Collins will once again face an avalanche of attack ads.
Pointing to Schumer, Collins said, «last time he poured into Maine with his affiliated groups, more than $160 million, all in negative ads trashing me and misrepresenting my record. He’s already doing that now.»
But she added that «fortunately, the people of Maine are smart, and they know lies and distortions when they see it.»
chuck schumer, bernie sanders, republicans elections, elizabeth warren, democrats senate, maine, midterm elections
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California professor accused of killing pro-Israel protester will ‘likely’ avoid lengthy prison sentence
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The Jewish community is outraged after a California district attorney’s office signaled that a community college professor could escape a lengthy prison sentence after he struck an elderly pro-Israel protester with a megaphone, which led to him falling backwards onto the ground and later dying at the hospital from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, an anti-Israel community college professor, was initially ordered to stand trial after hitting a pro-Israel protester, Paul Kessler, 69, in the head with a megaphone, who was standing across the street from him during dueling pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests in Thousand Oaks, located in Ventura County, California, in 2023. Kessler fell backwards to the ground after being struck by Alnaji striking his head and sending him to the hospital before passing away shortly thereafter from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
The incident took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war tensions and concerns about antisemitism rising in the United States and more broadly. Alnaji was initially facing up to four years in prison for the matter as he fought the charges against him, but on Tuesday he reversed course and the court «indicated that it is likely to place Alnaji on formal probation with up to 365 days in jail,» according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, which said it was displeased with the move.
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Paul Kessler can be seen at the intersection of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards hours before, authorities say, Alnaji delivered the blow that caused him to hit the ground and sustain fatal injuries, (Provided to Fox News Digital)
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan, who offered Alnaji probation if he changed his plea, according to the Ventura County Star, reportedly likened the altercation to if «two old guys had a dispute and an accident happened,» Defense attorney Ron Bamieh said, after noting the offer came after multiple meetings between him and the judge.
A defense source familiar with the case said that the district attorney’s office was also involved in these talks, despite public statements indicating they were unhappy with the outcome. The defense source said the district attorney’s office had to take a harsher stance for political reasons.
«Alnaji should be sentenced to prison for his violent behavior, and our office strongly objects to any lesser sentence,» said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. «While no amount of punishment will ever fully account for the Kessler family loss, a prison commitment underscores the severity of this crime and will deter others from committing similar acts of violence.»
A prosecutor also said Kessler’s family opposed the sentence and sought the maximum term.
ANTISEMITIC ATTACKER FACED 30-YEAR SENTENCE, GETS LESS THAN 1½ YEARS IN PLEA DEAL
Alnaji can be seen watching an ambulance cart Paul Kessler to a nearby hospital on November 5. (Provided to Fox News Digital)
However, the defense source said that prior to the plea this week, the victim’s family wanted the case over quickly and quietly, without a trial, and did not have a strong opinion about sentencing. The source also contested claims that anyone had actually seen the full incident occur and insisted there were numerous contradictions in the eyewitness accounts provided that alleged Alnaji was the aggressor.
«Mr. Alnaji made a thoughtful decision today, one guided by his family’s well-being and a deep concern for community peace. The tragedy that befell Mr. Kessler, compounded by the geopolitical tensions surrounding Israel and Gaza, led Mr. Alnaji to reconsider pursuing a full trial,» Bamieh said in a statement. «The evidence regarding Mr. Kessler’s aggressive conduct, his history of advocating violence and antagonistic tactics at pro-Palestinian rallies, and most critically, his brain stem condition—all of these facts would likely have shifted the outcome of a trial.»
The defense has argued that a pre-existing brain injury is actually what caused Kessler’s death, not blunt force trauma as was determined by the medical examiner.
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«For those who have characterized Mr. Alnaji as a violent man who intentionally struck a helpless victim, I simply say: they are either uninformed about the facts of this case, or they are pursuing an agenda unrelated to justice. The record tells a different story,» Bamieh concluded.
Pictured is a mugshot of Loay Alnaji, arrested at his Moorpark, California home around 7:40 a.m. yesterday. The community college computer science professor faces involuntary manslaughter and battery charges in the death of pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler (Ventura County Sheriff’s Department)
Jonathan Oswaks, a friend of Kessler’s who was at the rally with him when the incident took place, told the Jewish Journal that the sentencing news was «deeply frustrating.»
«I’m not a lawyer, but the way this was handled raises serious questions for me. It sends a troubling message about accountability,» he told the Jewish Journal in an interview.
Oswaks recounted moments from the event in his interview with the outlet, noting how the pro-Palestinian protesters vastly outnumbered them that day. He said after the pair had split up, people began approaching him and stood inches from his face yelling into his ear and using a megaphone.
«When I tell you I had never experienced that level of hate in my life, I hadn’t,» he said. «I told them to get out of my space. They backed off briefly, then started again. I made it clear they needed to stay away, and eventually they did.»
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A memorial is set up by a gas station in Ventura County, California for Paul Kessler, on November 7, 2023. The 69-year-old died following an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester days earlier. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
After news of the deal came down, the Anti-Defamation League expressed disfavor with the likely sentencing outcome, arguing it «emboldens others to act in anger against the Jewish community.»
Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, said that «while we would have liked a harsher sentence,» he welcomed «the admission of guilt for this heinous crime,» according to the L.A. Times.
«Our hope is that today’s news helps bring closure to his family and gives our community the ability to demonstrate safely,» Farkas added.
Alnaji’s sentencing is scheduled for June 25, and he remains at home after posting $50,000 bail.
in court, trials, trials, anti semitism, hamas
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras: ONG instan al Estado adoptar medidas urgentes para frenar violencia contra personas de la diversidad sexual
El Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CONADEH) en Honduras expresó su profunda preocupación por el incremento de muertes violentas contra mujeres trans en el país, luego de contabilizar nueve asesinatos en lo que va del 2026, situación que calificó como un reflejo de la violencia sistemática y la discriminación estructural que enfrenta la población LGBTIQ+.
A través de un comunicado la titular del organismo, la abogada Blanca S. Izaguirre, condenó los recientes crímenes ocurridos en Juticalpa, Olancho, y Nacaome, Valle, donde fueron asesinadas Marcus Noah y Dayana Pavón, respectivamente.
El ente defensor de derechos humanos urgió al Estado hondureño a adoptar medidas inmediatas de prevención y protección para frenar la violencia motivada por prejuicio y estigma contra las personas de la diversidad sexual.
“El CONADEH manifiesta su profunda preocupación y condena enérgicamente el incremento de muertes violentas contra mujeres trans en Honduras”, señala el documento oficial.
Según el organismo, los asesinatos registrados este año no son hechos aislados, sino parte de un patrón de violencia sistemática que coloca a las personas LGBTIQ+, especialmente a las mujeres trans, en una condición de extrema vulnerabilidad.
El comunicado hace énfasis en que Honduras continúa enfrentando serios problemas de discriminación estructural que limitan el acceso a derechos fundamentales para las personas diversas.
“Existe una negación fáctica de derechos y garantías constitucionales para las personas LGBTIQ+ en Honduras”, advirtió el CONADEH, señalando además que persisten patrones de impunidad que invisibilizan a las víctimas y vulneran su derecho a la identidad y a la justicia.
La institución recordó que el Estado hondureño ya ha sido condenado internacionalmente por violaciones a derechos humanos contra personas transgénero.
En marzo de 2021, la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos emitió sentencia en el caso de Vicky Hernández, mujer trans asesinada durante el contexto de la crisis política de 2009 en Honduras.
Posteriormente, en enero de 2026, también condenó al Estado en el caso de Leonela Zelaya y otra versus Honduras.
Ambas resoluciones establecen la obligación de los Estados de garantizar el derecho a la vida y a la integridad personal sin discriminación por identidad de género, así como investigar con debida diligencia las violaciones graves a derechos humanos cometidas contra personas LGBTIQ+.
El CONADEH subrayó que las investigaciones relacionadas con este tipo de crímenes deben realizarse con perspectiva de género y evitando cualquier lenguaje discriminatorio o estigmatizante que afecte la dignidad de las víctimas.
“Las autoridades deben abstenerse del uso indiscriminado de lenguaje estigmatizante y cualquier sesgo que desmejore la integralidad de las víctimas a causa de prejuicios sociales y personales”, puntualizó la institución.
Marcus Noah fue asesinada en circunstancias de extrema violencia en la ciudad de Juticalpa, departamento de Olancho. Mientras tanto, Dayana Pavón perdió la vida en Nacaome, Valle, en otro hecho violento que ha causado indignación entre organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos y colectivos de diversidad sexual.
Diversas organizaciones sociales han denunciado en reiteradas ocasiones que la mayoría de asesinatos contra personas trans en Honduras quedan en la impunidad, mientras las víctimas son revictimizadas por prejuicios sociales y falta de reconocimiento de su identidad de género.
Ante este panorama, el CONADEH exhortó al Estado hondureño a garantizar el cumplimiento de las sentencias emitidas por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.
El organismo defensor concluyó que mientras no existan políticas efectivas de protección, acceso real a la justicia y combate frontal a la discriminación, las personas trans seguirán enfrentando graves riesgos para su vida e integridad en Honduras.
La situación ha generado preocupación entre sectores defensores de derechos humanos, quienes consideran urgente la implementación de acciones concretas para detener la violencia y reducir los niveles de impunidad que históricamente han afectado a la población diversa en el país.
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