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10h ago

Collins and Jackson Clash in First Maine Senate Debate

The debate could sway early voters in a toss-up Senate race that includes ethics questions about Navatek.

Troy Jackson, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at the Southern Maine Labor Council breakfast, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in South Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
FILE - Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is flanked by Coast Guard Capt. Brian LeFebvre, left, and Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson, right, as she addresses reporters after the ribbon-cutting at a U.S. Coast Guard regional command center in South Portland, Maine, Feb. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/David Sharp, File)
This combination of photos shows Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington, left, and her challenger for the Maine's U.S. Senate seat, Democratic candidate Troy Jackson on July 16, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, Robert F. Bukaty)
Troy Jackson, left, and Sen. Susan Collins.

Overview

  • Tuesday’s first of four debates took place in Portland as early voting began, offering the late‑entered Democratic nominee repeated statewide TV chances to introduce himself.
  • Troy Jackson repeatedly tied Sen. Susan Collins to President Trump and raised ProPublica’s Navatek reporting and an FBI review, while Collins called the allegations false and an FBI spokesperson said the earlier inquiry found nothing implicating her.
  • Collins emphasized her seniority as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, cited about $1.5 billion in federal funds for Maine and defended her 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.
  • Recent polls and models show the race within the margin of error, with Marist giving Jackson a narrow lead, CBS News/YouGov showing a tie and Decision Desk HQ assigning only a slight edge to Jackson.
  • Three more debates are scheduled in a compressed window and heavy outside spending plus ongoing early voting mean the coming days could materially affect which party controls the Senate and the short‑term prospects for Mainers facing high living costs.