Troy Jackson holds a slight lead over Susan Collins in new poll for Maine's 2026 U.S. Senate race
Troy Jackson currently holds a slight edge over incumbent Republican Susan Collins in a new poll for Maine's 2026 U.S. Senate race. According to a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, 49% of likely voters favor Jackson, while 46% support Collins. Jackson, a former logger and state lawmaker, is expected to secure the Democratic nomination at a convention this Saturday following the withdrawal of Graham Platner. While Jackson leads among independents and holds a net-positive favorability rating, Collins faces scrutiny over her role in enabling ICE to operate without accountability following a recent shooting of an illegal immigrant in Maine. The administration announced the shooting occurred in front of the man's three-year-old daughter, drawing criticism from rioters who swarmed Collins' office to demand her replacement. Collins, who has held the seat since 1997, recently revealed she has managed a benign essential tremor throughout her career. Jackson, who is aligned with democratic socialists, aims to unseat the five-time incumbent in a race considered vital for Democrats seeking to control the upper chamber.