Mike Collins

Mike Collins was a Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 6th Congressional District (map) of Colorado. He was seeking the Democratic nomination to replace incumbent Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO.). He was defeated in the primary that took place August 12, 2008.

Bio
Candidate Biography Mike Collins is a Veteran of the Viet Nam War and endured some of its heaviest combat action. Mike was awarded two Bronze Stars, one for Valor and one for Meritorious Service after serving with B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division. He is a longtime advocate of veterans issues and now helps physically and mentally challenged veterans; especially the homeless. Mike lost his larynx to cancer associated with Agent Orange Exposure in Vietnam and speaks with an “electro-larynx”. It has often been said that when you lose one sense, you either gain or enhance another. Mike agrees. The loss of his voice was replaced with several intangible insights not possessed prior to the removal of his larynx. Being Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1971, Mike attended Grossmont College in La Mesa, California for two years studying electronics under the GI Bill. Though enduring the physical and emotional effects of the war, Mike persevered by working in coal mining, industrial electronics and over-the-road trucking. Mike is married to Pranee Robinson. He has two stepchildren, Channon and Kansinee Adsanatham. He and Pranee, a successful entrepreneur with her own tailor shop live in Aurora, Colorado. Channon has a Masters Degree, working toward his PhD in English Literature, attends and works at CU Denver. Kansinee also has a Master’s and resides in California employed with Google as a graphics designer. During the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Mike’s United Methodist Church became very instrumental to the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort during Hurricane Katrina. Political involvement Mike began his political career during the 2000 Presidential Race and in 2002 became a Precinct Committee Person in representing Aurora’s House District 42. Mike followed up in 2004 with extensive activity in the Draft (General) Wesley Clark Movement and the Wesley Clark for President Campaign. Upon General Clark’s retirement from the 2004 campaign, Mike helped to form Colorado Veterans for Kerry with other political activists such as Bill Holen and Jim Hudson. Following the 2004 election, Colorado Veterans for Kerry evolved into Colorado Veterans for America which remains active today. You will see them marching with Mike Collins in Congressional District 6 Parades this coming spring. Early years Born June 3rd, 1951 at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina; Michael David Collins started out in the military. Mike’s father, Henry Williams Collins, Number One on his list of heroes and role models, flew a P-47 Thunderbolt as an Army Air Force Fighter Pilot in WWII. Flying top cover bomber escort and close air support for the 366th Fighter Group, Mike’s dad spent his war years based in England and Normandy, then continuing his career with the Air Force through his last 2 years at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia and retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Along with his dad, on Mike’s list of heroes is his mother Suzanne Causey Collins who resides in Atlanta, Georgia and remains a constant inspiration. Military career Being chosen for U.S. Army Ranger School in 1968, Mike began at Fort Benning, progressed though Dahlonega, Georgia and graduated as a U.S. Army Ranger at Eglin Air Force in Florida. From there, Mike deployed to Vietnam with the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving a one year tour with B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division. In addition to the two Bronze Stars, other awards for service to Mike’s country include the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Valorous Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Designation. Mike Collins for Congress - Colorado Congressional District 6

2008 elections
Collins was seeking the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) in the 2008 congressional elections.

Committees
Collins will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Colorado and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Colorado's 6th Congressional District
 * Official Collins campaign website