Judge Benson’s nomination now moves to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of Andrew Benson, an experienced Maine District Court Judge and former homicide prosecutor, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine by a bipartisan vote of 19 to 3. His nomination now moves to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body.
“I am pleased that the Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of Judge Andrew Benson, who has devoted more than three decades to public service in Maine. His many years of experience as a senior homicide prosecutor and his long tenure on the Maine District Court give me great confidence that he will serve our state well as U.S. Attorney,” said Senator Collins. “At a time when Maine is confronting serious challenges, including illegal Chinese marijuana grow houses and increasing drug trafficking from out-of-state gang members, it is especially important that we promptly fill this seat with a highly qualified nominee who is prepared to address these threats.”
A native of Bethel and current resident of Unity, Judge Andrew Benson served as a Judge on the Maine District Court from 2014-2025. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Benson was a senior homicide prosecutor for the Office of the Maine Attorney General from 1999-2014. On October 22, 2025, Judge Benson was appointed to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, pending confirmation of his nomination by the Senate. Judge Benson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine and his J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.
As the senior Republican member of Maine’s congressional delegation, Senator Collins is advising the Trump Administration as it evaluates candidates for federal positions in the state. As part of that process, Senator Collins established a Federal Appointments Advisory Committee comprised of community leaders and experienced attorneys from across the state. Judge Benson was one of the applicants the Committee assessed for Senate-confirmed vacancies in Maine.
###