Campaign ethics probes intensify as Maine Senate race approaches voting
FBI and ethics inquiries into both candidates' conduct advance amid Maine's competitive Senate race.
Event / Politics
US Senate Maine Election 2026
Senate race between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Maine, featuring debates on Trump policies, cost of living, federal funding, and legislative votes. Polling indicates a tight race with potential implications for Senate control.
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2026-10-07 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Oct, 07:48 UTC
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What happened
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson debate in Maine U.S. Senate race
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson held their first televised debate on Tuesday night regarding the Maine U.S. Senate seat. The debate covered topics including President Donald Trump, high cost of living, and corruption allegations. Jackson is a 59-year-old former logger and state Senate president; Collins is a 73-year-old five-term Republican senator.
Maine Senate election could determine control of U.S. Senate
The Maine U.S. Senate race is being closely watched nationally as it could determine which party takes control of the Senate. Republicans currently hold the Senate 53-47, making this race particularly significant for determining overall Senate control.
Jackson criticizes Collins' voting record on Trump policies
Jackson accused Collins of voting with Trump 96% of the time and criticized her for advancing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act out of committee, voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, and voting for a $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Jackson highlighted progressive policies passed in state Senate
Jackson cited progressive policies he helped pass in the state Senate, including lowering prescription drug costs and implementing universal school meals, though he provided limited details on specific legislation.
Collins and Jackson have faced campaign misconduct accusations
Both Collins and Jackson have faced accusations of misconduct against their respective campaigns in recent weeks prior to their debate.
Maine Ethics Commission declines to investigate Jackson mortgage claim
The Maine Ethics Commission voted against investigating Jackson regarding his claim of a Federal Housing Authority loan on his Allagash home, which he claimed was his primary residence while living part-time in Augusta as state Senate president. The Commission said he had not violated campaign finance law.
Maine Senate race polls show tight competition
Recent polling shows a competitive race between Collins and Jackson. A University of New Hampshire poll from mid-September found Jackson ahead by 4 percentage points, while a New York Times/Siena University poll from a similar timeframe found Collins ahead by 3 percentage points. A Marist poll released on Tuesday showed Jackson at 51% to Collins' 47% with only 1% undecided.
Collins cites $1.5 billion in federal funding brought to Maine
Senator Collins stated in the debate that she has secured $1.5 billion for 672 projects across Maine over the past four years, ranging from Madawaska to Kittery and from Eastport to Rumford. She also cited authoring policies including a $50 billion fund for rural healthcare and the Paycheck Protection Program, which she said saved 250,000 jobs in Maine.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed with Medicaid cuts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 cut healthcare and other safety net programs while providing tax breaks to the wealthy. Collins voted to advance the Republican bill to the Senate floor but voted against the final enactment due to Medicaid cuts. The bill ultimately passed after Vice President JD Vance cast a tiebreaking vote.
Jackson faces GOP allegations regarding use of state Senate position
Jackson faced attack from a GOP advertisement accusing him of abusing his power as state Senate president to help his lobbyist son. Jackson stated that independent fact-checkers have proven 'that there was nothing there.'
Four debates scheduled between Collins and Jackson
Collins and Jackson are scheduled to participate in four debates over the next two weeks following their first televised debate on Tuesday.
Jackson replaced Graham Platner as Democratic nominee
Troy Jackson replaced oyster farmer Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee for Maine's U.S. Senate seat in July following a sexual assault allegation that Platner denies.
Collins disputes voting percentage with Trump
Collins contested Jackson's claim that she voted with Trump 96% of the time, stating the figure is based on only one study while another analysis found her voting with Trump only 72% of the time. She highlighted instances where she broke with Trump, including voting to end the war in Iran and against tariffs on Canada.
ProPublica reports on FBI investigation of Collins' fundraising practices
ProPublica reported on September 22 that the FBI had ended an investigation into allegations that a fundraiser for Collins participated in an illegal campaign donation scheme. The investigation was ended after the Trump administration purged the Justice Department and FBI of teams handling public corruption cases. Collins denied the allegations as 'completely false' and 'very offensive.'
Collins and Jackson blamed each other for Maine's high cost of living
During the debate, both candidates agreed families are struggling in Maine but disagreed on the cause. Collins argued that high electricity rates, housing costs, and property taxes result from failures at the state house level. Jackson blamed Trump administration policies including the Iran war and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Senate-backed bill cuts Medicaid as federal legislation reshapes healthcare policy
Senate-passed bill includes Medicaid cuts, marking substantial federal healthcare policy shift.
Jackson replaces Platner as Maine Democratic Senate nominee
Troy Jackson replaces Graham Platner as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee.
Collins touts federal funding record; Jackson emphasizes state legislative wins
Collins highlights $1.5 billion federal funding; Jackson emphasizes state progressive legislation.
Collins and Jackson spar over Trump support and cost of living
Collins and Jackson clash over Trump votes and Maine's cost of living ahead of debates.
Maine Senate race tightens as Collins and Jackson prepare for debates
Maine's competitive Senate race between Collins and Jackson may determine Senate control.