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Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins, ending her Senate career after 29 years
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
Democrat Troy Jackson has defeated five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, ending her Senate career after nearly three decades. The result gives Democrats a key Republican-held seat and greater influence in the Senate, amid an election widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump and his administration.
With 67 per cent of votes counted, Jackson led Collins by 52 per cent to 47 per cent, and broadcasters called the race around midnight. Collins conceded and said serving Maine had been the honour of her life. Jackson, a logger and local lawmaker, entered the race after primary winner Graham Platner withdrew; Republican-aligned groups had spent about $126 million on advertising to support Collins.
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In short
- Troy Jackson unseated Susan Collins in Maine.
- Collins’s Senate career ends after nearly 30 years.
- The result gives Democrats a key Republican-held seat.
How this story developed
- 17 hours ago Newly added coverage says Republican-aligned groups booked about $126 million in adverts to keep Collins in office and notes that Jackson entered the race after Graham Platner withdrew in July following sexual assault allegations, which he denied.
- 23 hours ago Jackson thanked working people for his victory as networks called the race with 67 per cent of votes counted, while Collins conceded after trailing 52 per cent to 47 per cent.
- 24 hours ago Democrat Troy Jackson defeated five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, ending her Senate career and handing Democrats a key seat amid an election seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jackson’s victory can be seen as a mandate for change after nearly three decades of Collins’s representation, and as a chance for Democrats to gain influence in Senate negotiations. Supporters may also view the result as a verdict on Trump’s administration and a sign that working people wanted a different direction.
The case against
Collins’s supporters could argue that her long service gave Maine experience and a voice in the Senate, and that losing a closely watched election does not by itself settle whether her record or the administration’s policies were sound. They may also see the result as a partisan shift that could reduce Republican influence in Senate negotiations, rather than proof of broad agreement on every issue.
Explained simply
Susan Collins is a Republican senator from Maine, a state in the north-east of the United States. She first won election to the Senate in 1996 and began serving in 1997, becoming one of its longest-serving members.
The Senate is one of the two chambers of the US Congress, which makes federal laws and approves some government appointments. Each state elects two senators, so a single seat can affect how much influence each party has in the chamber.
Troy Jackson is a Democrat and a former Maine state senator. His campaign followed a change in the Democratic primary field after Graham Platner withdrew; Platner denied allegations of sexual assault.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Democrat Troy Jackson ousts longtime Republican Susan Collins in stunning Maine Senate upset”.