In the Maine Senate race, Senator Susan Collins’ reputation as an independent voice has become a focal point. Collins, a Republican, faces a strong challenge from Troy Jackson, a Democrat and former Maine Senate President, as the midterms approach.
Democrats aim to associate Collins with former President Donald Trump, unpopular in Maine, claiming she votes against Trump only when her vote holds no weight. Yet, Collins highlights numerous major votes where she opposed Trump’s top priorities.
Maine leans Democratic, supporting former Vice President Kamala Harris by seven points in 2024. Collins has managed to secure previous reelections due to her personal popularity and moderate, bipartisan image. Her perceived independence in the Trump era could be vital for her reelection, making this a crucial issue for both campaigns with under six weeks to Election Day.
Blake Kernen, Collins’ campaign spokesperson, told Newsweek that Collins “has never missed a vote and has the longest perfect vote streak in American history.” Kernen added that Collins approaches every vote with care, considering Maine’s and America’s best interests. Georgetown and the nonpartisan Lugar Center consistently ranked her as one of the most independent senators.
In contrast, Jackson’s spokesperson, Maggie Amjad, stated that Maine voters perceive Collins’ voting pattern as overwhelmingly aligned with Trump. Amjad pointed to Collins’ alignment with Trump 96% of the time, highlighting key votes that supported Trump’s initiatives.
Collins’ Voting Record with Trump
A CQ Roll Call report revealed that Collins aligned with Trump 95% of the time in 2025, joining a small group of less pro-Trump Republican senators, alongside Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul.
Despite her high alignment, Democrats criticize Collins for her support of Trump’s supreme court nominations and Medicaid cuts. Criticism intensified following her vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh and other judges opposing abortion rights.
Though frequently contrary to Trump during his first term, Collins’ senatorial voting history includes key instances of divergence, like voting against the Affordable Care Act repeal and convicting Trump post-riot impeachment.
Notable Votes Against Trump
Collins opposed several Trump initiatives:
- Iran War: Collins demonstrated increasing criticism toward Trump’s actions, opposing the war powers resolution aimed at limiting the executive branch’s military actions in Iran.
- One Big Beautiful Bill: Collins opposed this legislative piece due to Medicaid impact concerns, although she did support tax relief measures in the bill.
- Rescissions: Unconvinced by unspecific program cut details, Collins voted against Trump’s rescissions package involving substantial funding reductions.
- Key Nominations: Collins voted against several nominations, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Todd Blanche, due to inadequate experience and perceived politicization concerns, respectively.
Collins and Trump have rarely been closely aligned, with Collins often opposing Trump’s measures and political directives. Vice President JD Vance voiced both frustration and acknowledgement that Collins’ moderate stance suits Maine’s independent leaning.
Maine Senate Race Polls
The race between Collins and Jackson remains closely contested. A New York Times and Portland Press Herald poll shows Collins with a narrow lead, while other polls from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts Lowell indicate Jackson in the lead.
Developments and Implications
The Maine Senate race saw recent developments with a ProPublica report regarding Collins’ campaign dealings, leading to claims and denials of misconduct. Jackson accused Collins of prioritizing donor interests over constituents’ welfare.
Winning Maine is crucial for Democrats in their quest for a Senate majority. The party must navigate challenging electoral geography to gain control from Republicans, who hold a narrow majority.
As the midterms approach, Maine’s Senate race is poised as a pivotal battleground, with both candidates actively seeking voter support to capture undecided and independent voters.