From The Boston Globe · · 1m 50s
Troy Jackson beats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race
Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race, ending 30-year Republican hold.
In brief
Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race, ending 30-year Republican hold. Troy Jackson, a former logger, wins Maine Senate seat against long-serving Republican Susan Collins, shifting Democratic control in the state and signaling voter anger over Trump-era policies. Originally reported by The Boston…
Collins concedes to Jackson
Republican Senator Susan Collins conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson after a historic midterm performance.
“I called Troy Jackson tonight to congratulate him and to assure him that my staff and I will work to ensure a smooth transition”
Jackson declares victory
Jackson took the stage in Portland to declare victory after speaking to Collins, saying they did big things despite being told they couldn't.
“We were told we couldn't do big things here, and we did them anyways”
Jackson's unusual path
Jackson, a former logger from Allagash, entered the race after Graham Platner dropped out amid a rape allegation.
“A little more than 100 days ago, I stood in front of our convention and asked you to put your faith in a logger from Allagash”
Maine voters demand change
Maine voters are angry over Trump-era costs and a broken Washington, rejecting Collins' middle-of-the-road politics.
“they are angry over skyrocketing costs on President Trump's watch and, more generally, at an increasingly broken Washington”
Jackson's victory speech
Jackson promised to enter the Senate chamber centering his identity as a union member and joined the crowd in singing 'Solidarity Forever'.
“You gave the power to me, and my job is to use it for you”
Collins' 30-year career
Collins, first elected in 1996, faced stiffer headwinds in this Democratic-leaning state than ever before in her career.
“the consummate political survivor and prolific legislator first elected in 1996”
Jackson's campaign challenges
Jackson struggled to scale a national campaign and maintain energy after Platner's campaign ended.
“There was no plan. There was no blueprint for this”
Collins' financial advantage
Collins vastly outspent Jackson and his supporters on TV airwaves, reflecting a national GOP cash deluge.
“On TV airwaves, Collins and her allies vastly outspent Jackson and his supporters”
Collins' policy challenges
Collins faced scrutiny over Trump-era policies including tariffs, Iran war, and a fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford.
“It withered amid the intensity of Trump's second term, which saw her trying to navigate a cautious middle ground amid damaging tariffs, war with Iran, a fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford”
Jackson's strategy
Jackson exploited the environment by targeting Trump-era costs and Collins' record of voting with Trump.
“Jackson hit Collins hard over her record of voting in line with Trump and sought to pin the rising costs of fuel and other necessities on her”
Jackson's victory impact
Jackson's win ends Collins' 30-year Senate tenure and shifts Maine to Democratic control.
“The outcome is a stark change in representation for Maine, and the ouster of one of the last remaining Republican moderates in Congress”
Jackson's campaign timeline
Jackson entered the race after Platner dropped out, quickly winning a convention process to replace him.
“Jackson, who placed third in the governor primary, quickly won a rapid-fire convention process to replace him”
The one thing
Troy Jackson, a former logger, wins Maine Senate seat against long-serving Republican Susan Collins, shifting Democratic control in the state and signaling voter anger over Trump-era policies.
