Maine · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on the economy and taxes?
Susan CollinsRepublicanIncumbent
Troy JacksonDemocrat
Part of the full Maine U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Economy & Taxes
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Susan Collins
Opposes the tariffs on Canadian goods and voted to end the emergency used to impose them; attributes Maine's cost of living to state policies.
Show the evidence (3)Hide the evidence
- Past actionOct. 29, 2025
Voted Oct. 29, 2025, for S.J.Res. 77, which terminates the national emergency declared to impose duties on imports from Canada (passed the Senate 50–46). She says she got concrete, pulp and road salt removed from the tariff list. 2 sourcesRoll 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 recordMaine 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 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
Said in the first debate, "If you look at the policies that have driven up the cost of living in Maine, you have to look at Augusta," and pointed to $1.5 billion in federal earmarks she says she secured for Maine. 2 sources‘We can’t eat road salt’: Jackson rips Sen. Collins in first Maine Senate debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsSusan Collins doesn't back down from Brett Kavanaugh vote in 1st debate with Troy Jackson (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
In an October 2026 Bangor Daily News questionnaire she said "one idea worth considering is to extend Social Security taxes on the very wealthy" and that she opposes raising the retirement age. SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Past actionOct. 29, 2025
Voted Oct. 29, 2025, for S.J.Res. 77, which terminates the national emergency declared to impose duties on imports from Canada (passed the Senate 50–46). She says she got concrete, pulp and road salt removed from the tariff list. 2 sourcesRoll 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 recordMaine 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 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
Said in the first debate, "If you look at the policies that have driven up the cost of living in Maine, you have to look at Augusta," and pointed to $1.5 billion in federal earmarks she says she secured for Maine. 2 sources‘We can’t eat road salt’: Jackson rips Sen. Collins in first Maine Senate debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsSusan Collins doesn't back down from Brett Kavanaugh vote in 1st debate with Troy Jackson (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
In an October 2026 Bangor Daily News questionnaire she said "one idea worth considering is to extend Social Security taxes on the very wealthy" and that she opposes raising the retirement age. SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Troy Jackson
Proposes higher taxes on billionaires and large corporations, lifting the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes, and tax cuts and larger tax credits for working families.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal2026
His campaign proposes taxing billionaires and making large corporations pay more, cutting taxes for working families, and expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. SourceTroy's priorities in the Senate (opens in a new tab)Troy Jackson for Maine · Campaign
- Campaign proposalOct. 6, 2026
In an October 2026 Bangor Daily News questionnaire he said he would remove the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes, let Medicare negotiate the price of every drug and expand benefits, and would not raise the retirement age. SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Campaign proposal2026
His campaign proposes taxing billionaires and making large corporations pay more, cutting taxes for working families, and expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. SourceTroy's priorities in the Senate (opens in a new tab)Troy Jackson for Maine · Campaign
- Campaign proposalOct. 6, 2026
In an October 2026 Bangor Daily News questionnaire he said he would remove the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes, let Medicare negotiate the price of every drug and expand benefits, and would not raise the retirement age. SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Recorded votes on the economy and taxes
Selected votes
Susan Collins
S.J.Res. 77 (119th Congress), a joint resolution terminating the national emergency used to impose tariffs on Canadian imports
EconomyJoint 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.
SourceRoll 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 recordVoted yesU.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)SourceRoll 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
Troy Jackson
LD 2273, An Act to Establish a State Minimum Hourly Wage for Agricultural Workers (Maine Senate, 131st Legislature, 2024)
EconomyWould 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.
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 recordVoted yesMaine Senate · April 10, 2024
Accept Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-922) Report
SourceMaine 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
In their own words
Statements
Susan Collins
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.
Susan Collins · First debate with Troy Jackson, hosted by CBS 13 in Portland, in an exchange on tariffs and the cost of living · Oct. 6, 2026
3 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 and Troy Jackson clash over abortion, ICE and other issues in first debate (opens in a new tab)Maine Public · Oct. 7, 2026 · News‘We can’t eat road salt’: Jackson rips Sen. Collins in first Maine Senate debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsSocial 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.
Susan Collins · Written answer to a Bangor Daily News Opinion section questionnaire of both U.S. Senate candidates, on preserving Social Security's finances · Oct. 6, 2026
SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Troy Jackson
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.
Troy Jackson · Written answer to a Bangor Daily News Opinion section questionnaire of both U.S. Senate candidates, on preserving Social Security's finances · Oct. 6, 2026
SourceMaine’s candidates for US Senate answer your questions (opens in a new tab)Bangor Daily News · Oct. 6, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
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