Democrat Troy Jackson wins Maine US Senate seat in blow to Republicans

What the report says

Democrat Troy Jackson has won Maine’s US Senate race, according to Al Jazeera, ending a Republican hold on the seat that had lasted for about 30 years. The result marks a major setback for Republicans in a closely watched contest in one of the country’s northeastern battleground states.

Al Jazeera reported that Susan Collins, the longtime Republican senator and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, conceded the race early Wednesday after serving in the chamber since 1997. Jackson is a former Maine Senate president and labour organiser who entered the race in July. His campaign focused on strengthening the economy and improving government accountability.

The race drew unusually heavy spending from both parties and outside groups. Al Jazeera said Republican groups contributed more than Democrats overall, while the two campaigns also raised large sums through mid-October. The contest was shaped by negative advertising and by broader political tensions tied to President Donald Trump, whose tariff policies have affected Maine’s economy because of the state’s trade links with Canada.

Collins had tried to present herself as an independent-minded moderate, while Jackson attacked her as aligned with Trump and accused her of corruption, an allegation she denied. The outcome adds to a series of Democratic gains in the 2026 midterms and highlights how competitive Senate races remain in states that have long leaned one way but can shift in a strong national wave.