Collins, Jackson meet in final Maine Senate debate as race tightens
What's new: A Suffolk poll released before the debate put Jackson ahead 49%-47%, within the margin of error in a toss-up race.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson were set to face off Thursday night in a final Maine Senate debate, with new polling underscoring how competitive the race has become. A Suffolk University survey conducted Oct. 8-11 and released ahead of the debate showed Jackson leading Collins 49%-47% among likely voters, a gap within the poll's margin of error. Nonpartisan handicappers including the Cook Political Report rate the contest a toss-up. Collins, first elected in 1996, is seeking a sixth term and has highlighted her seniority and role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Jackson, a former logger and former president of the Maine Senate, has argued Collins has not used her influence to ease high energy, food and housing costs.