Susan Collins Faces Backlash Over Classist Campaign Ad
Senator Susan Collins faces accusations of arrogance after a campaign ad disparaging Democratic opponent Troy Jackson's working-class background sparked backlash from labor groups and former aides.
Republican Senator Susan Collins is facing accusations of classism after releasing a campaign advertisement that targets the blue-collar background of her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson. In the ad, narrator and former newscaster Bill Green suggests that the U.S. Senate race is not about "buying a cord of wood" and claims that Jackson, a former logger, lacks the necessary tools to be effective in office.
The advertisement prompted immediate backlash from the Maine AFL-CIO and former Collins aide Sam Patten. Patten described the ad as a "public confession" of disdain for ordinary people, while the labor federation claimed the senator believes working-class Mainers are beneath her. Jackson, a former Maine Senate Majority Leader, responded by calling Collins "out of touch," arguing that his personal experience with fuel struggles is an asset for fighting for working people.
This controversy arrives as Collins seeks a sixth term in a race rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. Recent polling shows Jackson holding a narrow lead over Collins, ranging from 1.2 to 2 percentage points. The seat is considered a must-win for Republicans, who currently maintain a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
