Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over Trump and seniority in Maine’s first Senate debate

Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson squared off in Maine on Tuesday evening for their first televised debate, clashing sharply over Donald Trump, reproductive rights, and their respective records. The hourlong broadcast on WGME-TV underscored the high stakes of a race that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Jackson, the president of the Maine state Senate, spent much of the hour working to tie the five-term incumbent to the former president, invoking Trump's name more than 20 times. Jackson argued that Collins has consistently backed Trump's agenda, claiming she sided with him on 96 percent of votes, a statistic Collins dismissed as flawed. In his opening remarks, Jackson claimed Collins prioritizes billionaires and Trump over working-class residents.

Collins pushed back by highlighting her independent streak, noting instances where she broke with the Trump administration. She focused heavily on her role leading the Senate Appropriations Committee, arguing that her decades of seniority deliver tangible results for Maine. Collins stated that she had secured roughly $1.5 billion across 672 projects statewide over the past five years to relieve pressure on local taxpayers.

The relationship between Collins and Trump remained a recurring flashpoint. Asked repeatedly whether she would appear alongside Trump should he visit Maine, Collins declined to answer directly, observing that she is not his favorite senator and does not expect him to campaign in the state. While Trump previously remarked that Collins was not his favorite person, he has endorsed her campaign, and Vice President JD Vance has previously traveled to Maine to offer support.

Abortion rights also prompted intense exchanges. Jackson criticized Collins for her decisive 2018 confirmation vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the majority decision ending the nationwide right to abortion. Collins countered by emphasizing her broader confirmation record, pointing out that she is the sole Senate Republican who supported Democratic nominees Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. She also targeted Jackson's past anti-abortion record from earlier in his political career, asserting that she has been consistently pro-choice throughout her life. Jackson later emphasized his recent legislative efforts to defend abortion access.

Economic issues further divided the candidates. Jackson criticized Collins for procedural votes related to Trump-backed legislation that included substantial Medicaid reductions, comparing her to an arsonist seeking credit for extinguishing a fire. Collins retorted that she ultimately opposed the final measure, insisted she has never voted to reduce Medicaid, and highlighted her work securing billions for rural healthcare.

Collins turned the economic debate toward Jackson's record in Augusta, linking his policies to rising property taxes and high housing expenses. Jackson also criticized Collins over immigration enforcement following a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Maine, prompting Collins to condemn the incident, call for agency reforms, and note her push for officer body cameras.

The race remains a dead heat in public polling, with massive spending pouring in from both political parties. Collins represents the only Senate seat held by a Republican in a state won by Democrats in the 2024 presidential contest.