Democratic challenger leads Collins by six points in latest Maine Senate poll
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
A new poll shows Democratic nominee Troy Jackson ahead of incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins by six percentage points, reflecting a shift in voter preferences ahead of the November election.
A recent New York Times-Portland Press Herald-Siena poll of 714 likely Maine voters finds Democratic nominee Troy Jackson ahead of five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins, 51% to 45%, with a margin of error of 4.3%. The poll, conducted over the past week and released Sunday, marks a six-point lead for Jackson after a previous poll in September showed Collins with a three-point advantage.
Jackson captured 52% of unenrolled voters, while Collins drew 41% of that group. The September poll had both candidates tied among independents at 47%. Among party affiliates, Collins’ crossover support from Democrats fell to 8% from earlier levels, and Jackson’s support from Republicans dropped to 3%.
Voters expressed slightly higher trust in Jackson on cost-of-living issues, while Collins held a one-point edge on immigration. Economic concerns topped the list of issues for respondents.
Favorability ratings also shifted: 48% of respondents held a favorable view of Collins, down from 51% in September, and 45% viewed Jackson favorably, up four points since the earlier poll.
The race has drawn attention for its potential impact on Senate control. Campaign finance data indicate that the candidates have raised nearly $50 million, while outside groups have spent about $150 million.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting; if no candidate reaches 50% of the vote on Election Day, the tally will proceed to a ranked-choice tabulation.
The poll was funded with support from the Maine Trust for Local News.