Democrat Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race
Democratic challenger Troy Jackson won Maine’s U. S. Senate seat on November 4, 2026, defeating Republican incumbent Susan Collins, delivering the state’s first Democratic Senate seat since 1995 and adding to Democrats’ effort to regain the Senate majority.
A poll by the Portland Press Herald showed Jackson ahead of Collins by six points, reflecting a shift in voter preferences ahead of the election. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the close contest could trigger Maine’s ranked-choice voting process, potentially delaying the final count. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten noted that President Donald Trump’s low approval rating gave Jackson an edge, and the race had been described as tight throughout the campaign, with multiple surveys indicating a narrow margin.
