Poll shows Troy Jackson ahead of Susan Collins in Maine Senate race

A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll released Tuesday indicates that former state Senate president Troy Jackson leads incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins among likely Maine voters, with 49% choosing Jackson and 46% opting for Collins. Five percent of respondents were undecided or would support another candidate.

The survey, conducted July 15-20 with 1,236 participants and a margin of error of +/- 2.8%, also measured support among Democratic primary voters. Fifty-one percent of Democrats who voted in June said they preferred Jackson as the party’s nominee, compared with 26% for Nirav Shah and 11% for Shenna Bellows.

Collins, a five-term Republican, is viewed by 53% of Mainers as effective at bringing federal funds to the state, but she holds a 35% favorable rating versus 53% unfavorable. Jackson’s favorability stands at 37% favorable and 32% unfavorable, with 15% of respondents indicating they lack sufficient knowledge about him.

The poll also captured preferences in the governor’s race, where Democrat Hannah Pingree leads with 49% support, followed by Republican Bobby Charles at 35% and independent Rick Bennett at 6%.