Susan Collins vs. Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

• B.A. in government, St. Lawrence University (1975), magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

  Sources (3)3 sourcesSusan Collins – Maine Voter Guide 2026 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Sept. 25, 2026 · Candidate questionnaireAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · GovernmentSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

Troy Jackson

• Associate of Arts, University of Maine at Fort Kent

  Sources (3)3 sourcesYour Vote 2026 profile: Troy Jackson, Democrat for governor ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine Public · April 17, 2026 · Candidate questionnaireTroy Jackson's Biography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Vote Smart · ReferenceTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

Susan Collins

• Staff member for U.S. Rep. and then Sen. William S. Cohen of Maine, rising to staff director of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management (from 1975)

  Sources (2)2 sourcesAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · GovernmentSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Candidate for governor of Maine (1994); lost the general election

  SourceSourceSusan Collins – Maine Voter Guide 2026 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Sept. 25, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

• Founding executive director, Center for Family Business, Husson College (1994)

  SourceSourceAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Government

• Vice chair (2023–2024) and chair (2025–present), Senate Appropriations Committee

  Sources (2)2 sourcesSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceChair Collins ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations · Government

Troy Jackson

• Logger, self-employed, in northern Maine; a fifth-generation logger from Allagash

  Sources (2)2 sourcesTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceWhat to know about Troy Jackson, Maine Democrats’ likely nominee for US Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via WTOP News · July 24, 2026 · News

• First ran for office as a Republican; elected to the Maine House as an independent in 2002 and became a Democrat in 2004

  Sources (2)2 sourcesWhat to know about Troy Jackson, Maine Democrats’ likely nominee for US Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via WTOP News · July 24, 2026 · NewsTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Candidate for U.S. House, Maine's 2nd Congressional District (2014); lost the Democratic primary to Emily Cain

  SourceSourceTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Led Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign in Maine and was a superdelegate supporting Sanders at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

  Sources (2)2 sourcesWhat to know about Troy Jackson, Maine Democrats’ likely nominee for US Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via WTOP News · July 24, 2026 · NewsTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Candidate for governor of Maine (2026); lost the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary

  Sources (2)2 sourcesTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceWhat to know about Troy Jackson, Maine Democrats’ likely nominee for US Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via WTOP News · July 24, 2026 · News

Susan Collins

• Commissioner, Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation

  1987–1992 · Appointed

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiographical Directory of the U.S. Congress: Collins, Susan Margaret ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Congress · ReferenceAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Government

• New England Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

  1992–1993 · Appointed

  Sources (2)2 sourcesSnowe And Collins Applaud Appointment Of Charles Summers As SBA Region I Administrator ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Feb. 24, 2005 · GovernmentAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Government

• Deputy State Treasurer of Massachusetts

  1993 · Appointed

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiographical Directory of the U.S. Congress: Collins, Susan Margaret ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Congress · ReferenceSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• U.S. Senator from Maine

  1997–present · Elected

  Sources (2)2 sourcesSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceAbout ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Government

Troy Jackson

• Member, Maine House of Representatives

  2002–2008 · Elected

  Sources (2)2 sourcesLegislative Record - Senate, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Dec. 5, 2018 · Legislative recordTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Member, Maine Senate (District 35)

  2008–2014 · Elected

  Sources (2)2 sourcesLegislative Record - Senate, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Dec. 5, 2018 · Legislative recordTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Member, Maine Senate (District 1)

  2016–2024 · Elected

  Sources (2)2 sourcesLegislative Record - Senate, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Dec. 5, 2018 · Legislative recordTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• President, Maine Senate

  2018–2024 · Elected

  Sources (3)3 sourcesLegislative Record - Senate, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Dec. 5, 2018 · Legislative recordPresidents of the Maine Senate, 1820 - ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · GovernmentTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

Susan Collins

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 119th Congress)

  Healthcare

  Budget reconciliation law that changed federal tax policy, provided funding for various federal programs, reduced federal Medicaid spending and increased the statutory debt limit.

  Passed the Senate July 1, 2025, by a 50–50 vote with the vice president voting Yea to break the tie; the House concurred in the Senate amendment 218–214 on July 3, 2025; signed into law July 4, 2025.

  Sources (5)5 sourcesRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 372: On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 1, 2025 · Legislative recordRoll Call 190: H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 3, 2025 · Legislative recordHealth Provisions in P.L. 119-21, the FY2025 Reconciliation Law (R48633) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Congressional Research Service · GovernmentSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceSusan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over abortion, ICE and other issues in first debate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine Public · Oct. 7, 2026 · News
  Voted no

  U.S. Senate · July 1, 2025

  On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1

  Senate roll call 372, 119th Congress ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 372: On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 1, 2025 · Legislative record

• S.J.Res. 77 (119th Congress), a joint resolution terminating the national emergency used to impose tariffs on Canadian imports

  Economy

  Joint resolution terminating the national emergency the president declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada.

  Passed the Senate 50–46 on Oct. 29, 2025.

  SourceSourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 598: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 77 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Oct. 29, 2025 · Legislative record
  Voted yes

  U.S. Senate · Oct. 29, 2025

  On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 77

  Senate roll call 598, 119th Congress ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 598: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 77 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Oct. 29, 2025 · Legislative record

• Budget reconciliation bill funding immigration enforcement (S. 2, 119th Congress)

  Immigration

  Reconciliation bill providing about $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection and $5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, available through 2029.

  Passed the Senate 52–47 on June 5, 2026; passed the House 214–212 on June 9, 2026; signed into law in June 2026.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 163: On Passage of the Bill S. 2 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 5, 2026 · Legislative recordCongress Passes Second Reconciliation Bill to Fund ICE and CBP ↗ (opens in a new tab)The Conference Board · June 29, 2026 · ReferenceFact-checking 6 claims that dominated the Susan Collins-Troy Jackson debate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 8, 2026 · News
  Voted yes

  U.S. Senate · June 5, 2026

  On Passage of the Bill S. 2

  Senate roll call 163, 119th Congress ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 163: On Passage of the Bill S. 2 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 5, 2026 · Legislative record

• Iran war powers resolution (H.Con.Res. 86, 119th Congress)

  Foreign policy

  Concurrent resolution directing the president, under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran.

  Agreed to by the House 215–208 on June 3, 2026, and by the Senate 50–48 on June 23, 2026.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesRoll Call 199: H.Con.Res. 86, Iran war powers resolution, On Agreeing to the Resolution ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · June 3, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative recordFact-checking 6 claims that dominated the Susan Collins-Troy Jackson debate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 8, 2026 · News
  Voted yes

  U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026

  On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86

  Senate roll call 184, 119th Congress ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative record

Troy Jackson

• LD 2273, An Act to Establish a State Minimum Hourly Wage for Agricultural Workers (Maine Senate, 131st Legislature, 2024)

  Economy

  Would have established a state minimum hourly wage for agricultural workers, as stated in its title. The vote was on accepting the Labor and Housing Committee's majority report recommending passage as amended. It was introduced as a governor's bill; the Senate voted on the version amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H-922).

  Majority report accepted 23–11, with 1 excused, on April 10, 2024 (Roll Call #676); Gov. Janet Mills vetoed the bill on April 23, 2024, and the veto was sustained on May 10, 2024.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesMaine State Senate Roll Call #676, LD 2273 (HP 1462), 131st Legislature, 2nd Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · April 10, 2024 · Legislative recordLD 2273, HP 1462, Text and Status, 131st Legislature, Second Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Legislative record
  Voted yes

  Maine Senate · April 10, 2024

  Accept Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-922) Report

  SourceSourceMaine State Senate Roll Call #676, LD 2273 (HP 1462), 131st Legislature, 2nd Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · April 10, 2024 · Legislative record

• LD 1619, An Act to Improve Maine's Reproductive Privacy Laws (Maine Senate, 131st Legislature, 2023)

  Abortion

  Allows abortion later in pregnancy when it is deemed necessary in the professional judgment of a licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician, as described by a supporter in Senate floor debate.

  Enacted by the Senate 20–11, with 4 excused, on July 6, 2023 (Roll Call #483); signed by Gov. Janet Mills on July 19, 2023 (chapter 416).

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMaine State Senate Roll Call #483, LD 1619 (HP 1044), 131st Legislature, 1st Special Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · July 6, 2023 · Legislative recordLD 1619, HP 1044, Text and Status, 131st Legislature, First Special Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Legislative recordLegislative Record - Senate, Tuesday, June 27, 2023 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · June 27, 2023 · Legislative record
  Voted yes

  Maine Senate · July 6, 2023

  Enactment (Committee Amendment "A" (H-700))

  SourceSourceMaine State Senate Roll Call #483, LD 1619 (HP 1044), 131st Legislature, 1st Special Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · July 6, 2023 · Legislative record

• LD 1050, Resolve, Directing the Department of Labor to Request a Federal Waiver to Allow Presumptive Work Eligibility for Asylum Seekers (Maine Senate, 131st Legislature, 2023)

  Immigration

  Directs the Commissioner of Labor to request a waiver from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to let asylum seekers in Maine who have applied for asylum and have not been denied work during the six months after applying and while an expired work permit is pending renewal.

  Passed to be engrossed by the Senate 30–0, with 5 excused, on April 20, 2023 (Roll Call #97); finally passed as Resolve 2023, chapter 14.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMaine State Senate Roll Call #97, LD 1050 (SP 419), 131st Legislature, 1st Special Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · April 20, 2023 · Legislative record131st Legislature, First Regular and First Special Sessions: Disposition of bills and summaries of all laws enacted or finally passed, Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Oct. 2023 · Legislative record131st Roll Calls ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · Legislative record
  Voted yes

  Maine Senate · April 20, 2023

  Passage to be Engrossed

  SourceSourceMaine State Senate Roll Call #97, LD 1050 (SP 419), 131st Legislature, 1st Special Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · April 20, 2023 · Legislative record

• LD 1578, An Act to Adopt an Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote (Maine Senate, 131st Legislature, 2024)

  Democracy

  Adopts, for Maine, an interstate compact to elect the president of the United States by national popular vote, as stated in the bill's title.

  Passed to be engrossed by the Senate 23–12 on March 13, 2024 (Roll Call #585); enacted by the Senate 18–12 on April 3, 2024 (Roll Call #655); final disposition: enacted April 16, 2024, with the governor's action recorded as unsigned (chapter 628).

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMaine State Senate Roll Call #585, LD 1578 (HP 1023), 131st Legislature, 2nd Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · March 13, 2024 · Legislative recordRoll-calls for LD 1578 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Legislative recordLD 1578, HP 1023, Text and Status, 131st Legislature, Second Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · Legislative record
  Voted yes

  Maine Senate · March 13, 2024

  Passage to be Engrossed by Committee Amendment "A" (H-792)

  SourceSourceMaine State Senate Roll Call #585, LD 1578 (HP 1023), 131st Legislature, 2nd Regular Session ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Senate · March 13, 2024 · Legislative record

Susan Collins

• Social Security Fairness Act

  LegislationCandidate’s claimJan. 5, 2025

  Co-authored the Social Security Fairness Act with Sen. Sherrod Brown, according to her office; the law repealed the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. She voted for the House-passed bill, H.R. 82, which the Senate passed 76–20 on Dec. 21, 2024; it was signed into law Jan. 5, 2025.

  Sources (4)4 sourcesRoll Call Vote 118th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 338: On Passage of the Bill H.R. 82 ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Dec. 21, 2024 · Legislative recordSIGNED INTO LAW: Social Security Fairness Act Authored by Senator Collins ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins · Jan. 5, 2025 · GovernmentLive updates: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson debate for the first time ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsChair Collins ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations · Government

• Paycheck Protection Program

  LegislationCandidate’s claim2020

  Says she co-authored the Paycheck Protection Program, the small-business aid program created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it sustained more than 250,000 Maine jobs.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesChair Collins ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations · GovernmentSusan Collins – Maine Voter Guide 2026 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Sept. 25, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

• Federal funding for Maine projects

  OutcomeCandidate’s claimOct. 2026

  Says that as a member and, since 2025, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she secured $1.5 billion for 672 projects in Maine over the past five years.

  Sources (4)4 sourcesMaine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson spar over Trump, trade and abortion in Senate Debate ↗ (opens in a new tab)ABC News · Oct. 7, 2026 · NewsSusan Collins – Maine Voter Guide 2026 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Sept. 25, 2026 · Candidate questionnaireChair Collins ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations · GovernmentSusan Collins (Maine) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• FBI inquiry involving Navatek donations (ended) and Senate ethics complaint (filed)

  Legal proceedingDocumented2025

  ProPublica reported in September 2026 that the FBI had examined Collins, her aides and a pro-Collins super PAC over ties to defense contractor Navatek, based largely on claims by its former CEO, Martin Kao, who pleaded guilty in 2022 and was sentenced to 87 months in prison in 2025. The New York Times confirmed the inquiry was shut down in 2025; officials told the Times investigators had not found much evidence to corroborate Kao's claims. No one in Collins's orbit was charged as a result of the FBI's initial investigation of Kao, which began in 2021. An FBI spokesman said the bureau had investigated the claims years ago and "found nothing implicating Senator Collins or Senator Collins’ campaign." On Oct. 7, 2026, a former Democratic candidate for Cumberland County district attorney filed a complaint asking the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to investigate the allegations; no committee action has been reported. Collins denies wrongdoing and called the report "a political hit job."

  Sources (4)4 sourcesWhat to know about ProPublica’s report on an FBI investigation surrounding Susan Collins’s 2020 election bid ↗ (opens in a new tab)The Boston Globe · Sept. 22, 2026 · NewsProPublica debunks Susan Collins’ claims about FBI anti-corruption probe ↗ (opens in a new tab)ProPublica, via Portland Press Herald · Sept. 24, 2026 · NewsCollins denies allegations in corruption report: 'Absolutely outrageous' ↗ (opens in a new tab)ABC News · Sept. 23, 2026 · NewsDemocrat files ethics complaint against Susan Collins over alleged pay-to-play scheme ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Oct. 7, 2026 · News

Troy Jackson

• Prescription drug laws

  LegislationDocumentedJune 24, 2019

  As Senate president, sponsored LD 1272, a wholesale prescription drug importation program requiring approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and LD 1499, which created the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set drug spending targets for public entities. Gov. Janet Mills signed both as part of a prescription drug package on June 24, 2019; LD 1499 became Public Law chapter 471.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesGovernor Mills Signs Into Law Comprehensive Prescription Drug Reform Package ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of Governor Janet T. Mills · June 24, 2019 · GovernmentPUBLIC Law, Chapter 471, An Act To Establish the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine State Legislature · 2019 · Legislative record

• Loggers' border blockade

  InitiativeDocumentedOct. 1998

  Led a weeklong blockade by loggers at the St. Pamphile border crossing with Quebec, beginning Oct. 19, 1998, protesting the hiring of Canadian loggers who the loggers said were driving down pay rates. The AP reports the standoff ended with police escorting him away; the Portland Press Herald reports it ended when state troopers threatened arrest. He then entered electoral politics.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesWhat to know about Troy Jackson, Maine Democrats’ likely nominee for US Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via WTOP News · July 24, 2026 · NewsTroy Jackson once blockaded Canadians. How does it shape his Trump-era politics? ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Aug. 12, 2026 · NewsTroy Dale Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Collective bargaining for logging workers

  LegislationDocumented2019

  As Senate president, sponsored a bill extending collective bargaining rights to logging workers, which Gov. Janet Mills signed into law in 2019. His campaign says the law gave the state's loggers and haulers the same right to bargain collectively as potato farmers and lobstermen.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesTroy Jackson once blockaded Canadians. How does it shape his Trump-era politics? ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Aug. 12, 2026 · NewsTroy's priorities in the Senate ↗ (opens in a new tab)Troy Jackson for Maine · Campaign

• Ethics complaint over legislative residency (not investigated)

  Legal proceedingDocumentedOct. 25, 2023

  In October 2023 the Maine Ethics Commission voted 5–0 not to investigate a complaint by Republican state Rep. John Andrews alleging that Jackson broke legislative residency rules after signing a federally backed mortgage that listed his Augusta house as his principal residence. Commissioners said the loan rules differ from legislative residency requirements, and they declined other parts of the complaint as outside their jurisdiction. At the Oct. 6, 2026 debate, where the mortgage came up, Jackson said Allagash remained his permanent residence.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMaine commission clears Senate President Troy Jackson in ethics case over residency rules ↗ (opens in a new tab)Maine Public · Oct. 25, 2023 · NewsSusan Collins is criticizing a Troy Jackson mortgage. She did something similar. ↗ (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News4 takeaways from the first debate between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Portland Press Herald · Oct. 6, 2026 · News

Susan Collins

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  “It does need reform. But do you really want to abolish an agency that is responsible for deporting violent criminals?

• Tariffs on Canadian goods

  “I have been the most outspoken opponent of the tariffs with Canada. Canada is not China. It is our neighbor, our friend, our closest ally, and our biggest trading partner.

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act and rural health care

  “But if I had not allowed the bill to go to the floor, I would not have been able to offer the $50 billion fund to help rural health care

• Social Security

  “One idea worth considering is to extend Social Security taxes on the very wealthy. I believe these wealthier Americans can contribute more as part of a responsible solution. At the same time, we must ensure that taxes intended for the wealthy be carefully designed to avoid unintentionally harming our nation’s small businesses. I oppose raising the retirement age.

Troy Jackson

• Medicare for All

  “I support Medicare for All so that people I know across the state have health care

• Social Security

  “In the Senate, I’ll work to scrap the cap and require millionaires to pay Social Security taxes on their income, allow Medicare to negotiate the price of every drug, eliminate profiteering and waste, and expand benefits — not raise the retirement age.

• Funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  “You don't put more money into an agency that is killing people across this country