Collins, Jackson Set Debate Schedule as Maine Senate Race Heats Up

Maine’s marquee U.S. Senate race just got its debate schedule, and the fireworks are already starting early.

Democratic nominee Troy Jackson announced Friday that he’s agreed to four televised debates against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, with the matchups set to run within a two-week window in October. The final debate is scheduled for Oct. 15, hosted by News Center Maine, Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald, with a live audience taking questions. Jackson said he wants at least one debate to include questions directly from voters. Collins’ campaign confirmed it agreed to four debates with the same hosts last week but hasn’t yet signed off on Jackson’s proposed formats.

Jackson stepped into the race in July after Graham Platner, who had defeated Gov. Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination, dropped out following sexual assault accusations and other controversies. Despite the late switch, the contest remains one of the most closely watched in the country, with Collins the only Republican senator defending a seat in a state Donald Trump has never carried in three presidential runs.

The race turned personal this week. At a campaign stop in Brunswick, Collins was asked by a reporter about Jackson’s personal life and made pointed comments about the mother of his two children, remarks that quickly drew heavy pickup from conservative media outlets. Jackson, campaigning the same day at a Gorham church as part of his “Solidarity Forever” tour, focused instead on health care, tying Collins to President Trump’s tariffs on Canada.

Both campaigns are now working out final details before the debates begin, with two months left until Election Day.