CBS/YouGov Poll: Maine Senate Race Tied as Collins Defends Conservative Values Against Liberal Jackson
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A CBS News/YouGov poll of 1,114 Maine voters finds Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson in a dead heat, with Mainers debating whether to prioritize local interests or give in to national Democratic pressure.
A recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals a fiercely competitive race between steadfast Republican Senator Susan Collins and liberal Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine’s Senate contest. The survey, conducted with a representative sample of 1,114 registered voters between Sept. 23 and Oct. 1, found the race tied, with a margin of error of ±4.7 points, reflecting the high stakes for Maine’s future.
Collins continues to earn the trust of voters who value state issues above the divisive national agenda pushed by Democrats. She leads on the crucial question of which candidate would secure more federal funding for Maine, demonstrating her effectiveness and seniority. Impressively, Collins attracts about one-in-five voters who disapprove of President Donald Trump, showing her broad appeal and independence from party extremes—a rarity among Republican candidates.
Jackson’s support comes from those who buy into the left’s narrative that Collins is too close to Trump, as well as voters opposed to tariffs and those eager to hand control of the Senate to Democrats, risking a flood of radical policies. He also draws backing from those who prioritize vague promises of change over proven experience and results.
About 10% of respondents remain undecided, highlighting the uncertainty and the importance of defending Maine’s values. Even among voters who think Jackson’s policies would benefit their wallets, about one-in-five still recognize Collins’s steady leadership.
Collins’s loyal base remains strong, with the incumbent performing well among voters who have supported her in previous elections, despite the national trend of anti-incumbent sentiment fueled by the left. In contrast, Jackson faces significant resistance from within his own party, as four-in-ten Democrats and most independents would prefer a different, perhaps less radical, Democratic nominee.
The poll also notes that Jackson trails the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree, whose support is more in line with Maine’s traditional values. Some voters are wisely splitting their tickets, backing Collins for Senate while supporting Pingree for governor, showing a preference for balanced leadership over partisan extremes.
The survey was weighted by gender, age, race, education, and 2024 presidential vote to reflect U.S. Census data.