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Politics · Elections · published 2026-10-09 · via The Hill

Poll shows Jackson ahead of Collins in Maine Senate contest

Image via The Hill
Image via The Hill

A Washington Post-Schar School survey found Democratic challenger Troy Jackson leading Republican Sen. Susan Collins 50 percent to 46 percent in Maine. The race could help decide Senate control, and Collins is the only Republican senator running for reelection in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024. The poll suggests Collins is hurt by perceptions of closeness to Trump, while she emphasizes her ability to bring federal funds and work across party lines; Jackson leads on several voter priorities.

Expanded Detail

The survey, taken Sept. 30–Oct. 5, puts Jackson at 50% and Collins at 46% in Maine. Jackson, a former state Senate president, became the Democratic nominee after Graham Platner exited in July amid scandals, including denied sexual assault allegations. Collins seeks a sixth term; Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, and she is the lone GOP incumbent running in a state Kamala Harris carried in 2024.

Maine voters gave Trump a 36% approval rating. Fifty-eight percent said Collins backs Trump too much, while 51% viewed her unfavorably and 43% said the same of Jackson. She chairs Appropriations and stresses federal funding and cross-party work; voters favored her by 24 points on delivering federal money. Jackson led on the economy, health care, abortion and corruption.

Count words. First para: The(1) survey(2), taken(3) Sept.(4) 30–Oct.(5) 5(6), puts(7) Jackson(8) at(9) 50%(10) and(11) Collins(12) at(13) 46%(14) in(15) Maine(16). Jackson(17), a(18) former(19) state(20) Senate(21) president(22), became(23) the(24) Democratic(25) nominee(26) after(27) Graham(28) Platner(29) exited(30) in(31) July(32) amid(33) scandals(34), including(35) denied(36) sexual(37) assault(38) allegations(39). Collins(40) seeks(41) a(42) sixth(43) term(44); Republicans(45) currently(46) hold(47) 53(48) Senate(49) seats(50), and(51) she(52) is(53) the(54) lone(55) GOP(56) incumbent(57) running(58) in(59) a(60) state(61) Kamala(62) Harris(63) carried(64) in(65) 2024(66). Second: Maine(67) voters(68)

Context

If Jackson’s lead holds, the outcome could help Democrats shift Senate control, influencing federal spending, health care, abortion policy, and oversight. Maine residents may see sharper focus on energy, fuel, grocery, and medical costs. Collins’s seniority and appropriations role could matter to communities depending on federal funds. Nationally, the race may serve as a signal about Trump’s influence in a state Harris won. Count: If1 Jackson’s2 lead3 holds4, the5 outcome6 could7 help8 Democrats9 shift10 Senate11 control12, influencing13 federal14 spending15, health16 care17, abortion18 policy19, and20 oversight21. Maine22 residents23 may24 see25 sharper26 focus27 on28 energy29, fuel30, grocery31, and32 medical33 costs34. Collins’s35 seniority36 and37 appropriations38 role39 could40 matter41 to42 communities43 depending44 on45 federal46 funds47. Nationally48, the49 race50 may51 serve52 as53 a54 signal55 about56 Trump’s57 influence58 in59 a60 state61 Harris62 won63. Under 90. Good. No

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
Read the full article at The Hill →
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Jackson holds slight lead over Collins in Maine Senate race survey.” Browse more stories.