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Collins, Jackson Clash in Maine Senate Debate
Developing
In Short: In the first Senate debate Tuesday, Democratic challenger Troy Jackson and incumbent Republican Susan Collins clashed over President Donald Trump and abortion rights.
Jackson criticized Collins for her 96% alignment with Trump, questioning her independence and effectiveness as a senator.
Collins defended her record, emphasizing her bipartisan approach and her ability to secure federal funding for Maine.
Jackson highlighted Collins' pivotal vote in 2018 to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who helped overturn Roe v. Wade.
Collins countered by noting her support for three Democratic-nominated justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Jackson also accused Collins of supporting Trump’s Medicaid cuts, while Collins said she voted against the final bill and used the process to secure a $50 billion rural healthcare fund.
On immigration, Jackson cited an ICE officer's killing of a Mainer, blaming Collins for not pushing back against ICE.
Collins responded that the shooting was horrific and demonstrated the need for further ICE reform.
Both candidates sought to localize the race, with Collins emphasizing her seniority and Jackson stressing his commitment to progressive policies.
Polls show a tight race between Collins and Jackson, with both candidates vying for control of the Senate.
Jackson's strategy was to tie Collins to Trump, mentioning him at least 20 times during the debate.
Collins, meanwhile, focused on her ability to bring federal dollars to Maine and her bipartisan legislative achievements.
What's still developing
- “I’ve been able to bring home federal dollars to help ease the burden on our taxpayers,” Collins said.
- Collins questioned the methodology of the study he cited.
- In a moment that captured her tricky relationship with her party’s leader, Collins dodged two questions about whether she would stand with Trump if he visited Maine, with Trump having recently teased a visit to the Pine Tree State.
- Trump has said Collins is “not my favorite person” but nevertheless endorsed her for re-election, and Vice President JD Vance has gone to Maine and backed her at events.
- Both parties are spending tens of millions of dollars on a seat that carries major implications for control of the chamber, and a victory for Collins would constrict Democrats’ path to the Senate majority.
- Jackson did not engage with the barb in the moment, but he noted in his closing statement that he pushed for progressive abortion policies in the Legislature.
- Jackson’s spokesperson, Dan Gottlieb, told NBC News earlier Tuesday that he would oppose any Trump Supreme Court nominee in his final two years should a vacancy open up — a view shared by some other Democrats.
- That sparked a brushback from Collins, who noted that she voted against the legislation when it came to final passage.
- “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.
- “Tonight, Sen. Collins has told us how powerful she is,” he said in his closing statement.
- Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson debated for the first time Tuesday in Maine, trading attacks over President Donald Trump, the cost of living and abortion in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
- Jackson tried to do just that Tuesday by tying Collins to Trump, name-checking him at least 20 times in one hour of debating on WGME-TV.