Susan Collins and Troy Jackson Clash in Final Maine Senate Debate

Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson concluded their final campaign debate on Thursday at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, with polls showing the candidates neck-and-neck 19 days before the election. The contest centers on Collins' relationship with President Donald Trump, as she seeks a sixth term in a state that rejected Trump by 7 percentage points in 2024.

Jackson, a fifth-generation logger who entered the race after original Democratic candidate Graham Platner stepped aside due to sexual assault allegations, argues that Collins consistently supports the president. He specifically highlighted her support for two of Trump's three Supreme Court appointees who overturned Roe v. Wade. Collins defended her record as a centrist, claiming she frequently breaks with her party.

Economic tensions are driving the race, with voters facing rising heating oil prices linked to the war in Iran and the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber and fisheries. During the final debate, tensions flared when a protester interrupted to criticize AI data centers; Collins suggested the individual supported Jackson, who responded by dismissing the protester. Other points of contention included Collins' confirmation vote for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which she does not regret, and Jackson's criticism of Democratic ties to corporate PAC money.