The list of Republican elected officials offering their congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden continues to grow.
In a statement on Monday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said, “First, I would offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory — he loves this country, and I wish him every success.”
“Presidential transitions are important, and the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect should be given every opportunity to ensure that they are ready to govern on January 20th,” she continued.
“I understand that the President and others have questions about the results in certain states. There is a process in place to challenge those results, and, consistent with that process, the President should be afforded every opportunity to do so.
“I know that many are eager to have certainty right now,” Collins said. “While we have a clear direction, we should continue to respect that process. I urge people to be patient. The process has not failed our country in more than 200 years, and it is not going to fail our country this year.”
Read the statement below:
My statement on the 2020 Presidential election results: pic.twitter.com/8NY1WpaJpC
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) November 9, 2020
Networks began to call the election for Biden after he appeared to secure at least 270 electoral votes over the weekend, as IJR reported.
However, President Donald Trump released a statement to say that he did not accept the results. He said, “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over.”
While Trump has not yet conceded the race, several Republican governors and former President George W. Bush offered their congratulations to Biden on winning the election.
Additionally, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) also called Biden to offer their congratulations.