The Maine event
Real talk: the Maine Senate race is getting spicy. Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson went head-to-head in a televised debate Tuesday night, and the vibes were tense.
Collins, who has been in the Senate since 1996, is doing a lot of work to brand herself as an independent moderate. She actually bragged about voting with Joe Biden over 90% of the time during his presidency—a wild flex for a Republican. She’s also highkey emphasizing her record of voting against her own party more than any other senator, hoping to appeal to Maine’s blue-leaning electorate, which hasn’t gone for Trump in his three runs.
The Trump factor
Jackson didn't let that slide, though. He’s trying to tie Collins to Trump, claiming she’s voted with the president 96% of the time. The biggest callout? Her 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
"Eight years ago today, Maine women went to DC and begged Senator Collins not to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, but she did it anyways," Jackson said, pointing to the end of Roe v. Wade.
When asked about a potential Trump campaign visit, Collins didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat. "I’m not exactly his favorite senator," she said. She also pushed back on Trump’s policies, specifically calling his stance on tariffs against Canada "not well thought out," noting that Canada is "our neighbor and our friends."
The context
This matchup is critical for Democrats aiming for Senate control. Jackson, a veteran state legislator, stepped in this July after the previous candidate, Graham Platner, dropped out due to sexual assault allegations. It’s a massive pivot for the party, but they’re clearly betting that tying Collins to the more polarizing parts of her party will give them a W in November.
Why it matters
Maine’s Senate seat is one of the pieces in the puzzle for which party controls Congress. Collins is trying to keep her "moderate" branding alive, but her challenger is banking on the idea that her past voting record says otherwise.
