English
Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson met Tuesday in their first debate of Maine’s closely watched Senate race, clashing over Donald Trump, abortion rights, Medicaid and the cost of living in a contest that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.
The one-hour debate aired on WGME-TV and set a combative tone from the start. Jackson repeatedly linked Collins to Trump, mentioning the president’s name at least 20 times. Collins, meanwhile, pushed back by highlighting several instances where she broke with the Trump administration.
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Jackson Ties Collins to Trump
Jackson opened by framing the race as a choice between competing loyalties. “It matters who you stand with,” he said. “I don’t owe Donald Trump and the billionaires anything. I don’t fight for billionaires like she does.” He also argued that Collins votes in line with Trump 96% of the time. Collins challenged the methodology behind that figure.
The debate produced an awkward moment when moderators asked Collins twice whether she would appear alongside Trump if he visited Maine. Trump recently hinted at a trip to the state. Collins avoided a direct answer, saying only that she does not expect him to come and that she is “not exactly his favorite senator.” Jackson visibly grinned at her response.
Trump has publicly called Collins “not my favorite person,” yet he has endorsed her re-election. Vice President JD Vance has also traveled to Maine to campaign on her behalf.
Collins Defends Her Record and Seniority
Collins focused much of her argument on the practical benefits of her seniority. She chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. She touted $1.5 billion in federal funding she secured for 672 projects across Maine over the past five years. “I’ve been able to bring home federal dollars to help ease the burden on our taxpayers,” she said.
Collins also pushed back against attempts to link her to the end of federal abortion rights. Jackson highlighted her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the majority that overturned Roe v. Wade. Tuesday’s debate fell on the anniversary of that Senate confirmation vote.
Collins defended her judicial record by noting she also voted to confirm liberal justices. “In fact, I am the only Republican senator to have voted for Justice Sotomayor, Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who were nominated by a Democratic president,” she said. She then turned the issue back on Jackson, pointing to his more conservative positions on abortion earlier in his career. “There’s only one of us on this stage who has always been pro-choice, and that’s me,” Collins said. Jackson did not respond directly, though he later noted in his closing statement that he championed progressive abortion policies in the Maine Legislature.
Medicaid, Immigration and Legislative Effectiveness
Jackson accused Collins of voting to advance Trump’s budget legislation, which included roughly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts. Collins fired back, noting she voted against the bill at final passage. “He knows I voted against President Trump’s signature legislative accomplishment,” she said. She added that she used the process to secure a $50 billion rural healthcare fund.
Jackson was unconvinced. “Sen. Collins is like an arsonist who helped set the fire, and she wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put it out,” he said. “She could have stopped it.”
On immigration, Jackson cited the killing of a Maine resident by an ICE officer earlier this year. He argued the incident occurred because Collins failed to push back against ICE. Collins called the shooting “horrific” and said it “demonstrates that ICE needs further reform.” She said she supported funding for body-worn cameras and officer training, and that she joined the Maine congressional delegation in demanding answers from the Trump administration.
Collins also questioned Jackson’s effectiveness as a legislator. She connected his record in the Maine statehouse to rising housing costs and property taxes, and argued he would struggle as a junior senator in a divided chamber.
A Race That Could Shift Senate Control
Both candidates closed with competing visions of what Senate power should look like. Collins argued that seniority, relationships and experience are essential. “That combination has allowed me to pass bipartisan legislation,” she said. Jackson challenged whether she had used her influence wisely. “Tonight, Sen. Collins has told us how powerful she is,” he said. “But power means nothing if you won’t use it when the people need it.”
Current polls show the race essentially tied, often within the margin of error. Collins is seeking a sixth Senate term and remains the only Republican senator representing a state Trump lost in 2024. Both parties are spending tens of millions of dollars on the contest. A Collins victory would significantly narrow Democrats’ path to reclaiming the Senate majority.
