Katie Layne Collins

Katharine Amalia Layne-Collins (born September 22, 1950) is an American businesswoman, politician, and attorney. A member of the New Democratic Party, she is currently serving as the U.S. Senator for Montclair since 2001. She previously served in the U.S. Senate from 1989 to 1996. She had previously served as the U.S. Representative for Montclair's 2nd congressional district for 3 years. The district included Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Sequoia to Ed Layne, a wealthy businessman and State Legislator, and Maggie Sanders, Layne-Collins graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy. She then soon graduated from University of Michigan School of Law in 1975, earning a Juris Doctor and soon rising through the ranks of Attorney life. She now lives in Ann Arbor, Montclair.

Personal life
Born Katie Layne on September 22, 1950, in Reno, Nevada as the second child of Ed Layne and Maggie Layne Sanders. She was an exceptionally gifted young child attending elite academies and getting good grades. However, Layne was a challenged teen, facing abuse from her parents and moving from state to state and changing schools. Layne Collins recounts running away multiple times between the ages of 14 and 17.

On May 17, 1973, Layne married 25-year-old Jack Collins whom Layne met while in High School. Layne was 23-years-old at the time of the marriage. The couple have two children. After the marriage Layne decided to start going by the name of Katie Layne Collins, taking on the name of her husband.

In 1996, she revealed her struggle with addiction to alcohol calling it a "disease that has taken control of my life and clouded my judgment." She entered a rehabilitation facility after her tenure in the Senate ended.

In the same year, Layne Collins announced that her and her husband, Jack, had legally separated.

In a compassionate act, Layne Collins later adopted her sister's children after her sister's passing, providing them with a nurturing and caring home environment.

United States House of Representatives
Collins says she had contemplated entering politics in the late 1970's but decided against it to grow her family and law firm. However after the sudden death of Representative Betsy Reed in 1985, Collins was convinced by her husband and another family friend to run in the special election to replace Reed. Collins won unopposed. She won a full term later that same year.

Layne Collins was a key figure in the 100th congress, leading the opposition to the 1988 budget which would've cut funds to social security. Layne Collins was also a key vote for both liberals and conservatives on certain topics but has admitted she sways liberal on many social topics.

Collins was a key vote in handing the Speakership to John Paul Martinson, a shock to many. After the speakership vote, Layne Collins said "I believe that Americans want a desperate change. A change in leadership. They don't want the same corrupt broken Washington that has done them wrong for years...In the next two years, I will deliver that change, starting with casting my vote for John Paul Martinson."

Layne Collins won a second full term in the House in 1988.

First Consecutive United States Senate Terms
Layne Collins resigned from the House of Representatives after being appointed to the United States Senate by Governor Bob Jones after Harry Peters resigned upon his election as Vice President of the United States. She's been serving since 1989. She won election to a full term in 1990 defeating Former Representative John Major.

Layne Collins became the Senior United States Senator from Montclair after senior Senator Michael Cherry resigned from office in 1992.

Layne Collins was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate at the start of the 102nd congress and was re-elected at the 103rd congress

On January 6th, 1996, Layne Collins announced her intention to resign within the upcoming week after being arrested and charged with Driving under the Influence of alcohol.

Second Non-Consecutive United States Senate Term
Katie Layne Collins launched her bid for Montclair's other Senate Seat in 1999. She ended up winning the 2000 Montclair Senate election with nearly 80% of the vote. She was elected President Pro Tempore once again.

Arrest and Criminal charges
On December 31st, 1995, Layne Collins was arrested and subsequently charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She had just left a party at the residence of Vice President Calhoun. Video shows her swerving on the road while driving with both driver's side tires flat, and then eventually hitting a stop sign. After being unable to pass field sobriety tests, she was taken into custody by Washington DC Police. According to publicly available records, she was bailed out of jail by fellow Senator Diana Maddow.

Soon after, she announced her resignation from the Senate and announced that she had been struggling with addiction and would be entering a rehab facility.

She was released three months later and was convicted after pleading guilty to one charge of DUI. She payed a $1500 fine and was sentenced to 6 months probation.