Maine Senate Debate Exposes Billionaire Money and Party Loyalty Questions

Clear Facts

• Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson held their fourth debate Thursday night
• Collins questioned Jackson’s campaign promises to reject billionaire donors after FEC records showed otherwise
• Jackson admitted to billionaire support but claimed he would tax them if elected to the Senate

Sen. Susan Collins defended her independence from President Trump while Troy Jackson accused her of rubber-stamping the administration’s agenda. The debate highlighted sharp differences over campaign financing and personal backgrounds.

Collins pressed Jackson on whether he had kept his word to reject billionaire donors aligned with Democratic campaigns. Jackson admitted the FEC records were accurate.

“And as far as the billionaires that I might have on my campaign, that is accurate,” Jackson admitted.

Collins also faced questions about her record of independence from President Trump. She cited her opposition to the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as an example of defying the administration.

“At one point, I had organized people to vote against Secretary Hegseth. As you undoubtedly have read, at the very last minute, one of our Republicans changed his mind. Otherwise, he would have been defeated for that job,” Collins said.

Jackson countered that Collins ultimately supported Trump when it mattered most.

“Senator Collins likes to have it both ways. I mean, the reality is that 100% of the time when Donald Trump needs her, Susan Collins is going to be there. That has happened time and time again,” Jackson said.

Jackson defended his own independence by pointing to conflicts with Democratic Gov. Janet Mills during his time in the state Senate.

“How can I be a rubber stamp with my very own governor — a Democratic governor — vetoing 40 of my bills?” Jackson asked.

The debate turned personal when Jackson questioned whether Collins looked down on him because of his working-class background as a former logger.

“You know, you said consistently that I don’t have the experience. You just said it tonight that I wouldn’t be able to do the things that you do. Growing up as a working-class person, I have all kinds of experience,” Jackson said.

Collins rejected the accusation and pointed to her own working-class roots in northern Maine.

“Troy, I do not look down on you or on anyone. I grew up in Caribou. My first job was picking potatoes,” Collins said.

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