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By Andrew Stanton
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Democrat Troy Jackson unseated Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine's U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, riding a blue wave to defeat a longtime incumbent in what was expected to be one of the most competitive races of the midterms elections.
Maine was viewed as one of Democrats’ top pickup opportunities, as it’s a state that President Donald Trump lost by about 7 percentage points in 2024. The race was seen as competitive, despite the state’s Democratic lean and difficult national environment for the GOP, due to Collins’ bipartisan image and personal popularity that helped has her win in the state.
CNN called the race for Jackson just after 12:15 a.m. ET as he led Collins by about five percent in the critical race, with 68 percent of the vote in.
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The race became one of the most closely watched of the midterms, as polling showed a close contest throughout the campaign. Collins is the only Republican senator in a state Trump lost in 2024, so the race had been expected to be competitive. Although Maine has leaned toward Democrats in presidential races, it also has a notable independent streak that benefited Collins in the past.
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Tumultuous Campaign Season for Democrats
Democrats had a tumultuous path to Election Day in Maine, and Jackson was not their original nominee. The party nominated progressive Graham Platner, who aligned himself with left-leaning policies including Medicare for All and criticism of foreign wars, but he faced a number of controversies during the campaign.
Platner faced scrutiny over the revelation that he had a tattoo resembling the Totenkopf, or "death’s head," a symbol adopted by the Nazi SS, for which he apologized and said he was unaware of its meaning, as well as past Reddit posts. He was able to withstand those controversies, winning the primary over Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign on April 30, a little more than five weeks before the June 6 primary.
But after the primary, Platner’s campaign was rattled after he faced sexual assault allegations. He denied any wrongdoing but ultimately dropped out of the race.
Under Maine law, Democrats were able to replace Platner as their nominee. During a snap convention, they settled on Jackson, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to Hannah Pingree. Jackson was seen as a candidate more aligned with the progressive wing of the party, but without the baggage Platner would have carried into the general election.
Trump, Economy Were Key Issues
Trump was a key factor in the race. He has never been particularly popular in Maine, losing it in all three of his presidential bids, including by 7 points in 2024. The election was a major test for Collins’ personal political brand versus national headwinds that appeared difficult for Republicans as the president’s approval rating has slipped amid economic concerns.
Collins’ relationship with Trump was a major issue in the campaign. Democrats argued that Collins votes against Trump only when her vote does not matter for the result, despite casting herself as an independent voice. But Collins has said that there were numerous times she voted against the administration.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act became a sticking point. Collins voted to advance it in procedural votes but ultimately voted against passing it. Democrats pointed to it as an example of her enabling the administration, but Collins cast it as an example of her voting against a top priority for the president.
Collins also faced scrutiny over her stance on the Iran war. She initially declined to support War Powers Resolutions to limit Trump’s ability to wage war in Iran, writing in a statement earlier this year, soon after Trump ordered strikes against Iran, that passing the resolution “would send the wrong message to Iran and to our troops.” But she has become increasingly critical of the conflict.
Other issues, such as affordability and data centers, were dividing lines for the two candidates.
What Time Did Polls Close in Maine?
Polls in Maine closed at 8 p.m. ET.
Susan Collins vs. Troy Jackson: What Most Recent Polls Showed
Polls showed a close race in the final stretch of the campaign.
Jackson led by 4 points in a CNN/SSRS poll, 49 percent to 45 percent, among 783 likely voters October 20-26.
A Marist University poll gave Jackson a 2-point lead, 49 percent to 47 percent, among likely voters. It was conducted October 22-25 among 1,449 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 6.6 percentage points.
A Suffolk University poll gave Jackson a 2-point lead, 49 percent to 47 percent. It surveyed 500 Maine voters October 8-11 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
Polls underestimated Collins in her 2020 reelection bid. She trailed Democrat Sara Gideon in public surveys but won with more than 50 percent of the vote.
Jackson outraised Collins 4-to-1 in the most recent quarter, though he remained behind in overall fundraising and outside assistance.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Dave Siminoff.
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