BANGOR, Maine — Collins Warns of Federal Funding Loss if Jackson Wins
Republican Senator Susan Collins is cautioning that Maine stands to lose vital federal funding if Democrat Troy Jackson replaces her. This comes as a new poll reveals the candidates are nearly tied ahead of their final debate scheduled for Thursday.
In a recent Suffolk University poll conducted from October 8 to 11, Jackson, a former logger and the ex-president of the Maine Senate, slightly led Collins with 49% to her 47%. However, this two-point margin is within the poll’s error rate, suggesting a highly competitive race.
The showdown in the usually blue-leaning Northern New England state is a key opportunity for Democrats as they aim to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
This race is rated as a toss-up by Fox News Power Rankings, as well as by prominent nonpartisan analysts like the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
“If Troy Jackson were elected, Maine voters would lose significantly,” Collins stated in an interview. She is campaigning for a sixth term and has emphasized her nearly thirty years of Senate experience and her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee as vital to securing funding for Maine.
Collins warned that Jackson, if elected, would rank low in seniority, which could jeopardize essential federal funding for the state.
Conversely, Jackson contends that Collins has failed to leverage her Senate power to shield Maine families from rising costs of energy, food, and housing. “Senator Collins has claimed to be powerful. But what does that even mean if she doesn’t use it to help us?” he remarked during their initial debate.
Jackson has been critical of Collins for her perceived ties to former President Donald Trump, especially as his approval ratings plummet in Maine ahead of the midterms. “The choice is clear — a senator who aligns with Donald Trump and harms Maine or someone who will oppose his damaging policies,” he asserted during the recent debate.
Collins, often recognized as a moderate Republican, has diverged from Trump on several occasions. Nevertheless, Jackson and Democrats have targeted her over her unwavering support for Trump, particularly regarding the contentious confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose vote later contributed to overturning Roe v. Wade.
After a recent fatal shooting involving ICE agents, Collins faced criticism for backing funding for ICE.
Despite these challenges, Collins pointed to moments where she opposed Trump, such as his tariffs with Canada. “It’s a complete misrepresentation to suggest I’m a puppet of the president,” she declared, noting her bipartisan efforts and her opposition to certain presidential decisions.
She further highlighted her track record of securing funding for law enforcement, sharing that she had obtained $46 million to enhance law enforcement resources throughout the state.
Responding to Collins’ criticism, Jackson stated that he does not identify as a Democratic Socialist and has made it clear he does not support defunding the police. He also stressed that he had urged Platner to step down after damaging allegations surfaced, responding to Collins’ claim about his former ally’s stance on law enforcement.
Overall, Collins disputes Jackson’s claims regarding her voting record, stating that a broader analysis of her votes shows she only supports Trump about 72% of the time. “I vote in favor of him when I agree; when I don’t, I won’t,” she clarified.
The election comes amidst a backdrop where Collins retains a unique position as the only Republican senator running for re-election in a state that Biden won in the last election. In the past, she has managed to withstand significant Democratic challenges, evidenced by her previous victory over then-Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon six years ago, despite early predictions.
