Politics1 min read

Troy Jackson wins Maine Senate race over Susan Collins, in major coup for Democrats

By · Via NPR · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger running on a progressive populist platform, entered the race late in August following the sudden suspension of the previous nominee's campaign. Jackson targeted Susan Collins over trade tariffs with Canada, rising energy costs from the Iran war, and her crucial 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Collins emphasized her centrist record and her capacity as Senate Appropriations Committee chair, but fell short in an extraordinarily competitive environment. The bitter contest attracted more than $250 million in advertising expenditures as the two candidates entered election day virtually tied.

Key points

  • Democrats gained a critical victory in Maine to assist their overarching push for a Senat…: Democrats gained a critical victory in Maine to assist their overarching push for a Senate majority.
  • Troy Jackson will become the first Democrat to serve as a U.S. senator from Maine since 1…: Troy Jackson will become the first Democrat to serve as a U.S. senator from Maine since 1995.
  • Scrutiny over ties to national policies and the 2018 Kavanaugh confirmation vote neutrali…: Scrutiny over ties to national policies and the 2018 Kavanaugh confirmation vote neutralized Collins' centrist appeal.

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Troy Jackson has defeated Republican incumbent Susan Collins for U.S. Senate in Maine, according to a race call by the Associated Press, a crucial victory for Democrats in their push to win back the Senate majority.

The Democratic Party has long tried to oust Collins, and at a moment when President Trump's approval ratings are at historic lows, Democrats saw Maine as one of their best opportunities to flip a Republican seat.

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As the longest-serving Republican woman in the Senate, Collins entered the race with a history of defying national political headwinds, repeatedly winning in a state that has consistently voted for Democrats at the state level. But that streak ended Tuesday night.

The results bring Collins' nearly 30-year tenure in Congress to a close and make Jackson the first Democrat to represent Maine in the Senate since 1995.

Jackson's win bookends a dramatic, albeit short, Senate campaign. A fifth-generation logger, he quickly became…

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