# Collins vs Jackson Senate Debate Highlights

> Collins demands apology after Jackson accuses her of Iran war financial benefits.
- Title: Collins vs Jackson Senate Debate Highlights · Newsweek
- Summary: Collins demands apology after Jackson accuses her of Iran war financial benefits. Senator Susan Collins demanded an apology from Democratic challenger Troy…
- Keywords: senator susan collins, troy jackson, maine us senate, iran war, abortion rights, energy costs, ice enforcement, senate debate, Collins, Jackson, Senate, Debate
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/maine-collins-jackson-debate-12543799
- Published: 2026-10-09T02:28:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: senator susan collins, troy jackson, maine us senate, iran war, abortion rights, energy costs, ice enforcement, senate debate
## Collins demands apology
Senator Susan Collins demanded an apology from Democratic challenger Troy Jackson after Jackson accused her of benefiting financially from the Iran war.

> That is absolutely outrageous, and you owe me an apology
## Jackson's Iran war accusation
Jackson argued Collins votes with Trump too often and accused her of being influenced by corporate interests and defense contractors.

> You can't eat rock salt
## Abortion rights clash
Jackson faulted Collins for supporting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, arguing his confirmation helped pave the way for overturning Roe v. Wade.

> Not only would I vote for it, I authored such a bill
## Energy costs debate
Jackson argued Mainers' soaring heating costs stem from the Iran war and called for expanding LIHEAP eligibility.

> People will freeze to death this winter because they can't afford to heat their homes
## Collins on energy costs
Collins highlighted her work on heating assistance and said Congress could expand both heating assistance and weatherization programs.

> It's under Troy's leadership that electric rates in Maine became the fourth highest in the nation
## Jackson ties Collins to Trump
Jackson described Collins as 'Powerful in town, but she's weak every time that we need her to stand up and fight for us.'

> Powerful in town, but she's weak every time that we need her to stand up and fight for us
## Collins counters Trump ties
Collins argued she has worked with five different presidents and voted against Trump 137 times in Congress.

> This Congress alone, I voted against President Trump 137 times
## ICE enforcement debate
Jackson argued ICE is so rogue it can't be reformed and advocated defunding it after a fatal shooting.

> I know for a fact that people are always going to know ICE as an outfit has murdered at least four people here in this country
## Collins defends ICE
Collins said ICE helps deport violent criminals and investigate child exploitation while supporting body-worn cameras.

> We need to reform ICE further. There's no doubt about that
## Debate polling
CBS News survey showed a dead-even split between candidates with 10 percent of voters saying they could change their minds.

> A CBS News survey released last week showed a dead-even split between the candidates
## Next debates
The third debate will be held October 13 and the final debate is scheduled for October 15.

> The third debate, hosted by WABI and WAGM, will be held October 13
## Key takeaway

Senator Susan Collins demanded an apology from Democratic challenger Troy Jackson after he accused her of benefiting financially from the Iran war.