Collins and Jackson Clash in Maine Senate Final Stretch
With the election less than a week away, the race remains razor-thin as candidates trade blame over controversial advertising and campaign stops.
By Julia Wang ·
Political analyst Mark Brewer expects the Maine Senate race will require days to resolve, reflecting a margin so thin that the outcome could hinge on a small number of votes. The contest between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson has entered its final phase with less than a week remaining before Election Day. Both candidates are treating the remaining days as a continuous effort to secure victory.
The candidates operated from different locations on Wednesday, each targeting specific voter bases. Collins met with iron workers arriving for a shift in Bath, while Jackson held a canvassing rally in Brunswick. Jackson’s campaign received additional visibility from Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a potential future presidential candidate, who made multiple stops alongside the Democratic nominee. Kelly noted that the race appeared closer than anticipated based on his visits to other swing states.
The campaign has grown contentious due to advertising from the Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund. The group ran spots suggesting Jackson and his longtime partner are second cousins. Collins requested that some of the advertisements be removed, citing the number of inaccuracies in the messaging. Jackson argued that Collins is responsible for the attacks, stating that her team is spending millions to target his family because she will not fight for voters.
Kelly described the election as important, noting that his presence in Maine follows stops in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Kansas. He believes the visibility is beneficial because several races may be tighter than predicted. The two main candidates remain confident in their prospects. Collins described the final period as nonstop, while Jackson asserted that his team has a strong chance to win the seat.
Kelly is scheduled to campaign for Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in New Hampshire’s Senate race on Thursday. The Maine race is expected to determine control of the U.S. Senate, with both parties watching the results closely as votes are counted over the coming days.
Source: WBTS-CD
