Maine Senate Race Turns On Views Of Collins' Influence

Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in Tuesday's Maine Senate contest, a race that will test whether voters value her influence in Washington more than they resent President Donald Trump. Collins, the state's longest-serving senator in over a century, is seeking a sixth term. Jackson entered the race in late July.

The contest has drawn more than $200 million in spending from Democratic and Republican groups, much of it from donors who are not disclosed. It is the costliest Senate race per capita in the country. Most ads, mailers and text messages have been negative. Collins is the only Republican member of Congress in New England.

Collins argues that her role as chair of the Senate appropriations committee delivers federal money to Maine. In late August she visited a new library in Kenduskeag, northwest of Bangor, built partly with an earmark she secured. She also noted a fire station planned next to it. "I have been able to secure funding for 45 fire stations all over the state to be rebuilt or renovated," she said.

Jackson, a former logger and past Maine Senate president, says Collins has not used her position to check the president. At a Brunswick event he pointed to tariffs and the war in Iran. "All these things Susan Collins, I believe, could stop," he said. "But she doesn't want to stop them because that's who her master is."

Jackson backed Medicare for All and taxes on the wealthy as part of his platform. He was put forward by Democrats after Graham Platner left the race under scandal. Platner had won more primary votes than any Democratic Senate candidate in state history. Jackson placed third in the Democratic primary for governor in June.

Lisa Eaton, a Democratic voter from Kennebunk, ranked Jackson behind other candidates in that June primary. She later attended an event with historian Heather Cox Richardson to see him campaign against Collins. "It was an enthusiasm thing, totally," Eaton said. "When he was running for governor, I voted for him, but I ranked him. He wasn't in the top."

The Jackson campaign has brought in high-profile surrogates, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "He has stood up for our equal pay. He has stood up for our rights," she said at a Portland event. Collins has campaigned with former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent. Manchin called her "the soul of the Senate."

Vice President JD Vance rallied for Republican candidates in Maine in late August and called Collins "our very independent friend, Susan Collins." At the same event he defended Trump's trade war with Canada, which Collins has opposed. She has asked the administration for carve-outs on Canadian tariffs and for the release of New England home heating oil reserves after the war in Iran. More than half of Maine homes use heating oil as a primary heat source.

The administration granted her request on the reserves. "By increasing the amount of supply we should see some price relief," Collins said. Maine voters decide Tuesday whether Collins returns to Washington or Jackson replaces her.