Maine Senate race hinges on dwindling split-ticket voters as Collins and Jackson clash

In Maine’s upcoming Senate election, incumbent Republican Susan Collins faces former state Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat, in a closely watched contest. Historically, Collins attracted a measurable share of Democratic voters, but one outlet political climate has reduced the number of voters willing to split their tickets. Recent polls show each candidate drawing about 4% from the opposite party, with Jackson holding a slight edge among independents.

Both campaigns are targeting these voters, with Jackson’s team emphasizing Collins’s frequent votes with President Trump and her support for conservative judicial appointments, while Collins’s spokesperson touts her bipartisan reputation and federal investments in the state. Interviews with residents across several counties reveal a mix of loyalty to Collins’s seniority and frustration over perceived alignment with Trump, underscoring the pivotal role of swing voters in determining the race’s outcome.