Maine’s Troy Jackson unseats longtime Susan Collins, CBS projects, expanding Democrats’ Senate majority
A pivotal Maine contest
Collins was a major target as the only Republican senator representing a state Trump lost two years ago. She had nevertheless won re-election in Maine for decades, including by 9 percentage points in 2020, when Trump lost the state by the same margin.
Jackson became the Democratic nominee in late July after Graham Platner left the race amid a sexual assault allegation, which Platner denied. Jackson and his allies argued that Collins was closely aligned with Trump, whose approval ratings were sinking.
Contrasting campaign arguments
At a debate, Jackson said Collins voted with Trump 96% of the time and accused her of serving wealthy interests. Collins challenged that percentage and highlighted her role as chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.
Collins argued that Senate effectiveness depends on experience, knowledge, seniority and relationships. She said she had secured $1.5 billion for 672 projects across Maine over five years. Jackson criticized Collins for voting to advance Trump’s tax and spending package, the “big, beautiful bill.” Collins voted against its final passage because of its Medicaid cuts.
Jackson’s working-class appeal
A former logger from northern Maine, Jackson presented himself as a working-class candidate. He and Collins both come from Aroostook County, and he was the first challenger from her home county to run against her. Republicans sought to cast him as a career politician who had raised taxes.
Jackson supported “Medicare for All” and abolishing ICE, and campaigned with independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in the race’s final weeks. His supporters said his politics had changed over time but that he had remained focused on working-class Mainers.
Collins’ political identity tested
Collins tried to distance herself from Trump, who endorsed her re-election. During the summer campaign, she told NBC News that she opposed the president when she believed he was wrong and supported him when she believed he was right.
Her independent image had helped her win in a state that leaned Democratic. This time, anti-Trump sentiment proved difficult to overcome, according to the projected result.
Key points
- NBC News projects Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
- The result adds to the Senate majority Democrats won in the midterm elections.
- Jackson campaigned as a former logger focused on working-class Mainers.
- Collins emphasized her seniority and federal funding record while seeking re-election.