Scott Reed is a Republican political strategist and campaign consultant. He has served as a senior political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of 1820 PAC, an independent-expenditure committee formed to support Susan Collins's 2020 Senate campaign.
Case
Martin Kao alleged that Susan Collins knowingly linked Navatek campaign support to federal-contract assistance. Collins's office and other participants deny a quid pro quo, while official records establish separate illegal contributions by Navatek-linked actors.
Role at the time: Chair of 1820 PAC
Response to this claim
Susan Collins knowingly participated in a pay-to-play arrangement in which Navatek campaign support was exchanged for her office's assistance obtaining federal contracts.
“I understand Martin Kao is now sitting in federal prison. I never had any communications with Senator Collins [or] her staff about Martin Kao and/or Navatek.”
Relative to the alleged knowing Collins–Navatek exchange, Reed denies communicating with Collins or her staff about Kao or Navatek. The statement contests a key attribution but does not deny every part of the alleged arrangement, so challenges_characterization is more precise than a full denial.
Statement dates: September 22, 2026
Statement dates: September 22, 2026
Statement dates: September 22, 2026
