# Collins and Jackson in Maine Senate Race

> Collins and Jackson team up in Maine Senate race amid Democratic tensions.
- Title: Collins and Jackson in Maine Senate Race · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Collins and Jackson team up in Maine Senate race amid Democratic tensions. Senator Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race with former…
- Keywords: senator susan collins, democrat troy jackson, former senator joe manchin, representative alexandria ocasio-cortez, maine senate race, midterms, democratic party, senate race, Collins, Jackson, Maine, Senate
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/collins-and-jackson-bring-longtime-rivals-manchin-aoc-into-maine-fight-12595893
- Published: 2026-10-20T19:06:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: senator susan collins, democrat troy jackson, former senator joe manchin, representative alexandria ocasio-cortez, maine senate race, midterms, democratic party, senate race
## Collins and Manchin campaign in Maine
Senator Susan Collins joined former Senator Joe Manchin on Wednesday for campaign appearances in Maine's U.S. Senate race.
## Jackson and Ocasio-Cortez team up
Democrat Troy Jackson will join Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for campaign appearances in Portland, Maine, on Thursday.
## Ideological clash history
Ocasio-Cortez and Manchin have clashed over policies since 2019, with Ocasio-Cortez introducing the Green New Deal and Manchin criticizing it as a 'dream'.

> The Green New Deal is a dream, I’ve got to work in realities
## Manchin's moderate reputation
Manchin was seen as one of the most moderate Democratic senators before leaving the party in May 2024 to become an independent.
## Collins' campaign strength
Collins has defied Maine's partisan lean due to her personal popularity, bipartisan image, and role as chair of the Appropriations Committee.
## Jackson's campaign support
Jackson has a 2-point lead in polls with 49 percent support to Collins' 47 percent, according to a Suffolk University poll.
## Jackson's campaign strategy
Jackson has outrailed Collins 4-to-1 in recent fundraising but trails in overall campaign finance.
## Ocasio-Cortez's criticism
Ocasio-Cortez accused Manchin of weekly huddles with Exxon and drafting fossil fuel bills, which he denied.

> has weekly huddles w/ Exxon & is one of many senators who gives lobbyists their pen
## Manchin's recent comments
Manchin told Fox News that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is 'crazy' for working to unseat Collins.

> She is the soul of America. She's the soul of the Senate
## Collins' debate remarks
Collins called Jackson's supporters 'Troy’s supporters' during a debate after a data center protest interrupted her speech.

> This is obviously one of Troy’s supporters
## Jackson's response
Jackson responded to Collins' comment by saying, 'Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid.'

> Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid
## Jackson's campaign support
Jackson has received endorsements from Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders, who campaigned with him in Maine.
## Maine Senate race dynamics
Maine's Senate race is critical for Democrats to flip four seats and gain control of the Senate, with Collins as one of the most vulnerable Republican senators.
## Jackson's campaign strategy
Jackson has filed his first financial disclosure form with the FEC, showing he outrailed Collins 4-to-1 in the most recent quarter.
## Key takeaway

Senator Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race with former Senator Joe Manchin and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joining the campaign.