Collins targets Jackson’s Augusta record in first Maine Senate debate

Sen. Susan Collins made Troy Jackson’s two decades in Augusta the centerpiece of her case Tuesday night, using the first of four Senate debates to argue that the policies driving up Maine’s cost of living were made in the State House.

The hourlong debate, hosted by WGME in Portland, opened a race that polls show as a virtual tie and that could decide control of the Senate. The matchup drew national attention, including The New York Times’ rundown of the evening’s takeaways. Collins opened with the federal funding she has secured for Maine, while Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and logger, opened with her vote eight years ago to the day to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Jackson tried to tie Collins to President Donald Trump, saying she votes with him 96% of the time and likening her to an arsonist seeking credit for fetching water. Collins answered that she ultimately voted against Trump’s spending package, and that her push to move the bill forward let her write a $50 billion rural health care fund. Asked whether she would campaign with the president, she said she is “not exactly his favorite senator.”

Collins went on offense against Jackson’s legislative record. She pointed to vetoed bills and proposals that stalled in committee and asked how he would get anything done as the most junior member of a closely divided Senate. Jackson called himself a team player who let colleagues take the credit. Collins also noted that she has always been pro-choice, a swipe at Jackson’s early opposition to abortion rights as a legislator.

On corruption, Collins called ProPublica’s pay-to-play reporting false and offensive. Her staff released a 2017 document and a photo before the debate, though ProPublica reporters said those do not disprove their account.

The two split on voter ID. Collins said ID should be required and that only citizens should vote. Jackson said it should not be required. Jackson backs Medicare for All and abolishing ICE. Collins opposes both.

The candidates meet again Thursday. Early voting began Monday, and Election Day is Nov. 3.