Collins insists socialist rival won’t beat her as Maine’s money machine: ‘You’ll lose big time’
Senator Susan Collins has warned that Maine could lose federal funding if voters replace her with Democrat Troy Jackson, making her seniority and influence in Washington central to their close Senate race. The contest is a key opportunity for Democrats seeking to regain control of the Senate, while Collins argues her record and leadership help deliver for the state.
A Suffolk University poll of likely voters conducted 8–11 October put Jackson at 49% and Collins at 47%, a gap within the margin of error; several election forecasters rate the race a toss-up. Collins is seeking a sixth term and says Jackson would have little Senate seniority. Jackson says Collins has not used her influence to address living costs and has criticised her ties to Donald Trump, including her votes on abortion and immigration enforcement, though Collins points to occasions when she has opposed the president.
- Collins says Maine risks losing federal funding if she is defeated.
- A poll puts Jackson at 49% and Collins at 47%.
- Both campaigns are making Collins’s record and influence central issues.
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Maine’s two senators represent the state in the US Senate, where seniority can help shape committee roles and influence federal decisions. Susan Collins, a Republican, has served there since 1997 and is seeking a sixth term; Troy Jackson is a Democrat and former president of Maine’s state Senate.
The race matters to both parties because control of the Senate affects which legislation can pass and how the federal government is overseen. Collins argues her experience helps Maine secure federal support, while Jackson says she has not done enough to tackle residents’ concerns and questions her record on issues including abortion and immigration.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Collins’s seniority and relationships in Washington could help Maine secure federal funding and give it a stronger voice in decisions affecting the state. Supporters may argue that, in a close contest for Senate control, her experience and record of delivering for Maine are valuable, and that voters should weigh those practical benefits alongside disagreements over particular votes.
The case against
Voters may reasonably reject the idea that federal funding depends on keeping one senator in office, and judge Collins instead by whether she has used her influence to ease living costs and represent their priorities. Jackson’s supporters may argue that seniority alone is no guarantee of results, and that a change in representation could better reflect Maine voters’ views on issues such as abortion and immigration enforcement.