KENNEBUNK — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said she’s worked her entire life ”“ including a stint picking potatoes in her hometown of Caribou when she was 10 years old ”“ so, she said Monday, she was dismayed when she saw some political ads that she said distort her record.

Collins, R-Maine, during a campaign stop downtown in her bus tour across Maine Monday afternoon, said a vote she cast has been painted as being against equal pay for equal work ”“ when, she said, her opposition was to what the bill would have required of employers. The bill, rejected previously by former Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe and earlier this year by independent Sen. Angus King, would have required employers to report to a federal agency the age and salary information of all employees by gender, said Collins. She called the requirement burdensome on employers, and said passing the bill could discourage bonuses for deserving employees because of the reporting requirements.

“I have worked my entire life,” said Collins, adding she was “particularly aggravated” that she was accused of being against women. “Have you noticed, I am one,” she said to a crowd of GOP supporters.

Collins pointed out it has been illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender since 1963.

“That doesn’t mean it has gone away, and that is why I supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” said Collins.

The 2009 law, the first law signed by President Barack Obama, expands the timeframe in which an individual may file a pay discrimination claim.

Collins is challenged in the Nov. 4 election by Democrat Shenna Bellows, who is the former director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine.

Collins is on the second leg of her bus tour that began in August and was interrupted for three weeks while Congress was in session. She made her way through York County on Monday to Kennebunk, and was to make her way to Newcastle Monday night to speak to that community’s Rotary Club this morning.

She shook lots of hands at the Republican Headquarters at 10 Main St., and then took a stroll up the street, stopping at Perfecto’s Caffe and some other businesses. Eleni Kouzounas of Saco stopped at the coffee shop and was greeted by Collins. Kouzounas, who is retired, remarked that she worked in a nearby Kennebunk shoe factory for 20 years.

“I like her, she’s nice,” said Kouzounas of Collins.

At the GOP headquarters, Wells Republican Town Committee Chairwoman Nancy Ford, who also serves as the financial chairwoman for the York County Republican Committee, organized the reception for Collins with some help from volunteers.

“It galvanizes support and encourages volunteers,” said Ford of visits by high-profile candidates like Collins.

Gov. Paul LaPage was on hand when the office, which is funded by a number of GOP committees, opened a couple of weeks ago. Ford said the office is a resource for candidates.

Collins, meanwhile, made the rounds, shaking hands and listening.

Whether it’s up north or in Kittery, and from Calais to Rumford, there are two issues on peoples’ minds: jobs and a desire for an end to the bickering and partisanship in Washington, Collins said.

She said the response to her campaign has been heartening.

“I try to solve problems,” Collins said of her role in government.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].