Democrat Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins to win Maine US Senate seat in blow to Republicans

Troy Jackson has defeated five-term Republican senator Susan Collins in Maine, giving Democrats a major midterm gain and ending her nearly 30-year tenure in the Senate. The result is a significant upset in a closely contested race shaped by arguments over Collins’ record, Jackson’s experience and the cost of living.

Jackson, 58, is a former Maine state senate president and lumberjack who had 101 days to campaign after replacing Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee. He focused on economic issues including high fuel and heating oil costs, and criticised Collins for supporting Donald Trump’s agenda; Collins argued her seniority and influence had delivered federal funding for Maine. Jackson also pledged to fight to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.