Maine voters pick Jackson over Collins

Troy Jackson won the Maine U.S. Senate race on Wednesday, replacing Susan Collins as the state's senator. Jackson, a Democrat, defeated the incumbent Republican who had served in the seat for three decades. The victory gives Democrats a new voice in Washington from a state that has voted for Democratic presidential candidates since 1992. Jackson told supporters in Portland that the election reflects a desire for representation from families struggling with high costs.

Jackson entered the race in July after former nominee Graham Platner withdrew. Platner, an oyster farmer, had drawn large crowds but faced controversies. Jackson won a special nominating convention to take over the ticket. He had previously run for governor but lost that primary. Jackson is from rural Aroostook County and worked as a lumberjack starting at age 19. He later served nearly 20 years in the state legislature, becoming the president of the state Senate.

The campaign lasted roughly 100 days. Jackson focused on housing and healthcare costs. He also addressed workers' rights and held events at churches, union halls, and bars. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, for whom Jackson served as a surrogate, joined Jackson for rallies in October. Jackson criticized Collins for advancing President Donald Trump's tax and budget legislation in committee before voting no on the final passage. He described her approach as helping start a fire and then trying to put it out with a small cup of water.

Collins, 73, entered the election as the only Republican in Congress from New England. She emphasized her independence from her party and the president. She voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial and supported a failed effort in January to limit military force in Venezuela. Trump called those Republican colleagues on social media, saying they should never be elected again. Vice President JD Vance expressed frustration with Collins during a May rally in Maine, noting she is less partisan than he prefers.

Collins cited her tenure on powerful committees as a key asset for the state. She became chair of the Senate appropriations committee last year. She noted that no Maine senator has held that chair position in 92 years. She argued this position provides a unique opportunity to influence national priorities while helping Maine. She conceded defeat in a statement after calling Jackson, citing the honor of serving the state for 30 years.

Jackson faced criticism during the campaign for his demeanor in debates. He told Collins to shut up during one exchange. Collins used this to contrast her experience with Jackson's relative newcomer status. Jackson argued that hard work should allow people to build decent lives, a sentiment he shared at a September event near Portland. He positioned himself as a fighter for working families in the face of economic pressure.

The result ends Collins' career in the U.S. Senate. She was first elected in 1996 and sought a sixth term. Maine has not sent a Republican to the Senate since her first win. Jackson will join a Senate where Democrats now hold the seat previously occupied by the state's longest-serving legislator. The win marks a shift in the state's federal representation following a competitive election year.

Jackson will begin his term after the inauguration of the new Congress. He has outlined plans to prioritize economic issues in his first months in office. Collins will leave office after serving through the current term. The transition will see a fifth-generation logger take the place of a veteran lawmaker known for bipartisan efforts and committee leadership.