Basic Information
| Name | Thomas A. Daffron |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | January 23, 1949 |
| Birth Place | New York City |
| Education | BA Brown University; MA Journalism Columbia University |
| Career Summary | COO of Jefferson Consulting Group; Chief of Staff to Senators Lisa Murkowski, Fred Thompson, William Cohen; Speechwriter for Senator Charles Percy; National Campaign Manager for Elizabeth Dole; Senior VP & COO of the Baltimore Orioles; Executive VP at Chesapeake Enterprises |
| Spouse | Susan Collins |
| Board Memberships | Spurwink Services board member; Trustee at St. Joseph Hospital |
| Residence | Bangor, Maine |
Personal Profile
Thomas A. Daffron was born January 23, 1949 in New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. He married U.S. Senator Susan Collins on August 11, 2012 in Caribou, Maine.
Career Trajectory
Daffron built a multifaceted career across government, consulting, and political campaigns:
| Role | Organization | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Chief of Staff | U.S. Senate (Murkowski, Thompson, Cohen) | 1978–2006 |
| COO | Jefferson Consulting Group | 2006–2016 |
| National Campaign Manager | Elizabeth Dole Presidential Campaign | 1999 |
| Speechwriter | U.S. Senate (Sen. Charles Percy) | 1970s |
| Senior VP & COO | Baltimore Orioles | 1980s–1990s |
| Consultant | Various political campaigns | 1970s–present |
He also served as a reporter and taught political science at the University of Maine in Fall 2016.
Family Background
- Spouse: Susan Margaret Collins, U.S. Senator from Maine (m. 2012)
- Parents: Thomas A. Daffron Jr. (deceased), former New York Times assistant news editor; Katherine M. Daffron (deceased)
- Children/Siblings: No public records of children or siblings
Financial Overview
Thomas Daffron’s personal net worth remains undisclosed. His leadership at a major lobbying firm and his wife’s Senate salary of $174,000 (2025) suggest a substantial household income. He held Boeing stock before 2012 and faced scrutiny over government contracts secured by his firm.
Latest News & Developments
- 2012: Married Senator Susan Collins on August 11.
- 2018: Opened a letter claiming to contain ricin at his Bangor residence.
- 2022: Listed Bangor home for sale amid public attention.
- 2023: Reports noted his past Boeing stock holdings in Senate financial disclosures.
Family Summary Table
| Name | Relation | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas A. Daffron | Self | Lobbyist, COO, Senate chief of staff | Active |
| Susan M. Collins | Spouse | U.S. Senator, Appropriations Committee Chair | Active |
| Thomas A. Daffron Jr. | Father | New York Times assistant news editor | Deceased |
| Katherine M. Daffron | Mother | — | Deceased |
| Patricia M. Collins | Mother‑in‑law | Former mayor of Caribou; university trustee | Retired |
| Donald F. Collins | Father‑in‑law | State senator; lumber company president | Deceased (2018) |
FAQ
Who is Thomas Daffron?
Thomas Daffron is a Washington, D.C. lobbyist and former Senate chief of staff with over four decades of policy and managerial experience.
What key roles has he held?
He led Jefferson Consulting Group as COO (2006–2016) and served as chief of staff to multiple U.S. Senators from 1978 to 2006.
When did he marry Senator Susan Collins?
He married Senator Collins on August 11, 2012.
What was the 2018 ricin incident?
He opened a suspicious letter at his home in 2018 that agents suspected contained ricin, prompting a federal investigation.
Does he have any children?
Public records list no children or siblings for Thomas Daffron.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://stennis.gov/student-programs/public-service-review-editorial-board/thomas-daffron-biography/ | Stennis Center for Public Service – Thomas Daffron Biography |
| https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/fashion/weddings/susan-collins-thomas-daffron-weddings.html | The New York Times – Wedding Announcement |
| https://www.centralmaine.com/2012/07/29/collins-future-husband-once-her-mentor_2012-07-28/ | Central Maine – Collins’ Husband |
| https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/life-after-threats-sen-collins-husband-thomas-daffron-speaks-six-months-after-opening-a-letter-claiming-to-contain-ricin/97-625087f8-21c0-4e09-acc4-6d3555c9eeff | NEWS CENTER Maine – Ricin Incident |
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/about/susan-collins | U.S. Senate – Susan Collins Biography |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Collins | Wikipedia – Susan Collins |
| https://coloradonewsline.com/2023/09/20/maines-senators-stock-holdings/ | Colorado Newsline – Stock Holdings |
| https://american-ledger.com/corruption-secrecy/collins-husband-make-millions-from-government-contracts-intended-for-struggling-businesses/ | American Ledger – Jefferson Consulting |
