Democrat Troy Jackson has won Maine’s US Senate race, defeating Republican Susan Collins in one of the major upsets of the 2026 midterms. Collins, who has served in the Senate since 1997, had sought a sixth term.
The contest was closely fought and often acrimonious, with both campaigns trading accusations of corruption and clashing over the cost of living. Jackson, 58, is a lumberjack by trade and a former president of Maine’s state senate. He campaigned on progressive economic populism and argued that Collins had supported President Donald Trump’s agenda, including by voting to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Collins portrayed Jackson as inconsistent and short on the experience needed to represent Maine in Washington. She also emphasized her independence and influence, pointing to federal funding she had helped secure as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Economic pressures featured prominently in the race. Maine residents have faced rising fuel costs and record-high heating oil prices, while federal tariffs have affected several key industries in the state, according to the campaign report.
Jackson entered the race after Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew amid a series of scandals, including an allegation of sexual assault and rape that Platner denied. Democrats had only weeks to choose a replacement at a special convention, leaving Jackson 101 days to campaign for the Senate seat.
Sources: The Guardian World.