Jackson targets Collins in Maine Senate race as spending tops $200 million

More than $200 million has been spent on the Maine U.S. Senate race, making it the costliest contest per capita in the country. The financial input from corporations, billionaires, and independent political groups has fueled a barrage of negative advertising and mailers. This spending reflects the high stakes involved in a race that could reshape congressional power and influence President Donald Trump’s final two years in office.

Maine voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday to determine whether Senator Susan Collins remains in Washington or if Democrat Troy Jackson replaces her. Collins is the only Republican member of Congress in New England and has served the state for over a century. Jackson, a former logger and state legislator, entered the race in late July after progressive candidate Graham Platner dropped out due to scandal.

The two candidates have adopted opposing strategies. Collins has focused on her seniority as chair of the Senate appropriations committee. She argues that her position allows her to direct federal funds to Maine, a strategy she illustrated during a late August visit to Kenduskeag. There, she celebrated a new library funded by a congressional earmark and noted a nearby fire station.

"I have been able to secure funding for 45 fire stations all over the state to be rebuilt or renovated, and today we see what an important role they play," Collins said. She maintains that her influence brings money to the state that might otherwise go elsewhere. She has also campaigned with former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who praised her bipartisan record.

"So when I hear all this stuff on TV, she's not bipartisan. That's a lie. She's the most bipartisan person we have in the Senate today. And I have said this publicly, she is the soul of the Senate," Manchin said at an event in Maine.

Jackson has sought to nationalize the election by framing Collins as an enabler of Trump’s second term. He argues that Collins has the power to stop the president’s actions but chooses not to. During an event in Brunswick, he criticized her inaction on tariffs and the Iran war.

"You know, tariffs, the Iran War, all these things Susan Collins, I believe, could stop," Jackson said. "But she doesn't want to stop them because that's who her master is." Jackson has aligned himself with organized labor and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

The White House has attempted to reinforce Collins’ image as an independent leader. In late August, Vice President JD Vance visited Maine to campaign for Republican candidates. Although Collins did not attend his rally, Vance defended her while also supporting the president’s trade war with Canada. That stance conflicted with Collins’ position that the trade war harms Maine’s leading trade partner.

Collins has had to negotiate directly with the Trump administration on several issues. She secured carve-outs on Canadian tariffs and requested the release of New England home heating oil reserves to offset the impact of the Iran war. More than half of Maine homes use oil as a primary heat source.

"This is good news, by increasing the amount of supply we should see some price relief," Collins said after the administration granted her request. Jackson argues that such favors are necessary because Collins does not stand up to Trump directly. The race now hinges on whether voters view Collins’ power as a benefit or a failure.