Senator Susan Collins’ reputation for independence is a focal point in the Maine Senate race. She faces a strong challenge from Troy Jackson, a Democrat. Democrats aim to link Collins, a Republican, to President Donald Trump, who is unpopular in Maine. They argue she opposes him when her vote is inconsequential. However, Collins highlights significant votes where she opposed the Trump administration.
Maine generally supports Democrats. The state backed Kamala Harris by 7 points in 2024. Yet Collins has easily won reelection due to her personal appeal and moderate, bipartisan image. Whether Mainers still see her as independent in the Trump era is critical for her reelection prospects.
Blake Kernen, Collins’ campaign spokesperson, emphasized her perfect voting record. He noted her recognition as one of the most independent Senators by Georgetown and the Lugar Center. In contrast, he described Troy Jackson as an extreme partisan in Augusta for 20 years.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s spokesperson Maggie Amjad argued that Collins frequently aligns with Trump. She claimed Collins votes with Trump 96% of the time in critical moments, including confirming justices who overturned Roe v. Wade and supporting Medicaid cuts.
Voting Record and Criticism
A CQ Roll Call report states Collins voted with Trump 95% of the time in 2025. Only Senators Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul had lower scores. Critics, including Jackson, point out her consistent alignment with Trump on major issues. Her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh affected her popularity with moderate Democrats.
Some of her votes supporting judges opposed to abortion rights have been contentious. Collins also backed the SAVE Act and confirmed controversial figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sparking criticism from Democrats.
Despite criticism, Collins has opposed Trump on key issues. She declined to support him in 2024 and voted to convict him after the Capitol riot. She also opposed repealing the Affordable Care Act in 2017.
Instances of Breaking from Trump
Collins has taken stances against Trump on several occasions. She opposed his Iran war initiative and voted to end further military actions lacking a clear mission. Her votes against major bills like the One Big Beautiful Bill, due to Medicaid impact concerns, indicate her moderate stance.
She also opposed the rescissions package, highlighting a lack of detail in program cuts. Collins voted against confirmations for Pete Hegseth and Todd Blanche, citing their inexperience and political bias, respectively.
Collins’ relationship with Trump has been strained. She did not support his presidential campaigns and voted for his impeachment. Her opposition is evident in her stance on issues like politicizing health research funding.
Polls and Developments
Polls show a close race between Collins and Jackson. A New York Times poll shows Collins leading by 3 points, while other polls show Jackson ahead. The Maine Senate race remains highly competitive, with both candidates continuing to appeal to voters.
Recently, a ProPublica report alleged inappropriate dealings between Collins and a campaign donor. Collins’ office denied these claims, and Jackson criticized her for perceived corruption.
Importance of the Maine Senate Race
Control of the Senate could hinge on the outcome in Maine. Democrats see Maine as pivotal for gaining a Senate majority. Their strategy involves defending seats and flipping Republican-held ones in competitive and conservative areas.
As the election approaches, candidates will focus on swaying independent and undecided voters. The Maine Senate race remains one of the tightest contests this election cycle.