In Maine Senate debate, Collins says she’s “not exactly” Trump’s “favorite senator”

October 7, 2026 / 12:03 AM EDT / CBS News

In an often-testy Tuesday night debate, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine touted her three-decade-long record in Congress and took aim at some Trump policies — while Democrat Troy Jackson argued Collins has failed to push back against the Trump administration.

The Maine Senate race is one of November's most closely watched contests, and could prove crucial to determining which party controls the upper chamber next year. While the state leans left, and hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate statewide since the 1980s, Collins' history of surviving tough reelection challenges has vexed Democrats for more than a decade. Most polls show a razor-thin race.

Collins highlighted her "knowledge, experience, seniority and relationships," including her ability to score funding for projects in Maine as chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee.

"I've been able to bring home federal dollars to help ease the burden on our taxpayers," said Collins, who is running for a sixth term in the Senate.

Collins also has a history of breaking with President Trump, criticizing his trade war with Canada and strategy in Iran, and voting against the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act last…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/