Collins and Jackson clash over Trump, abortion and ICE in first Maine Senate debate
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson met Tuesday in the first of four debates in one of the country's most closely watched Senate races. Jackson tied Collins to President Trump, while Collins pointed to her seniority and her record of breaking with her party.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson faced off Tuesday night in their first debate. It was the first of four debates over 10 days, CNN reported. The hourlong event aired on CBS13 and FOX23 in Maine.
Jackson, a logger and former Maine Senate president, went on offense from the start. He cited an analysis showing Collins votes with Trump 96% of the time. "I don't owe Trump. I don't owe the billionaires nothing," he said. Collins said he misrepresents her record and cited a broader analysis putting her at 72%, Maine Public reported.
Collins argued her seniority helps Maine. She chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and cited $1.5 billion in federal funds for 672 Maine projects over five years, NBC News reported. "To be effective in the Senate, you need knowledge, experience, seniority and relationships," she said. Of Trump, she said, "I'm not exactly his favorite senator," according to CNN.
Why it matters
Collins is the only Republican senator seeking reelection in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024. A Marist poll released Tuesday had Jackson ahead by 4 points among about 1,500 registered voters, just outside the margin of error, Maine Public reported. The race could help decide control of the Senate.
More context
Abortion: Jackson repeatedly raised Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. The debate fell on the anniversary of that vote. Collins noted that Jackson opposed abortion earlier in his legislative career.
ICE: Both condemned an ICE officer's fatal shooting of a Colombian immigrant in Biddeford this summer. Jackson called for abolishing ICE and faulted Collins for advancing about $35 billion in new ICE funding. Collins said the bill also paid for body cameras, training and inspectors general. "You cannot abolish ICE. It does need reform," she said.
Costs and Iran: Jackson said Collins failed to push back on the Iran war, which has raised fuel prices. Maine heating oil recently topped $6 a gallon, Maine Public reported. Collins said she voted nine times to end the war once it passed the 60-day limit without congressional approval. She blamed Maine's high electric rates on Jackson's votes in Augusta.
Health care: Jackson backs Medicare for All. Collins called it a "big government" takeover that would mean longer waits for patients.
7 listed sources
- Maine Public, Oct 7, 2026: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over abortion, ICE and other issues in first debate
- NBC News, Oct 6, 2026: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over Trump and seniority in Maine's first Senate debate
- CNN, Oct 6, 2026: Takeaways: Trump and abortion rights take center stage in first Maine Senate debate
- The Washington Post, Oct 6, 2026: Takeaways from the Maine Senate debate between Susan Collins, Troy Jackson
- USA Today, Oct 6, 2026: Susan Collins, Troy Jackson clash over Trump in Maine Senate debate
- WGME (CBS13/FOX23), Oct 6, 2026: Maine Senate candidates spar on key issues in first televised debate
- Sourcing note: Mostly mainstream national outlets plus Maine Public and the host station; no national conservative-outlet write-up was found. Both candidates' main lines are quoted in their own words.
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Vote-share figures (96% and 72%) are each campaign's cited analyses, according to Maine Public. Poll figures are from a Marist poll, according to Maine Public. Quotes are as Maine Public, NBC News and CNN reported them.
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