As Susan Collins goes for a sixth term, Maine Democrats worry she’s a ‘Teflon candidate’

Key Points:

• Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate in a blue state, is facing her toughest re-election challenge yet from Democrat Troy Jackson, who is leveraging Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade to rally voters against her.
• Jackson is focusing his campaign on working-class issues and abortion rights, criticizing Collins for her Kavanaugh vote and arguing that it undermines trust in her to protect reproductive rights, a key concern for many Maine voters.
• Despite Maine’s history of supporting Democrats in presidential elections, Collins has maintained her seat by emphasizing her experience, seniority, and ability to bring federal resources to the state, though recent polls show a very close race.
• The campaign has been marked by high tensions, with Jackson winning the first debate by putting Collins on the defensive over her voting record and ties to Trump’s agenda, while Collins highlighted her legislative accomplishments and bipartisanship.
• Democratic grassroots activists express mixed feelings about Jackson's candidacy, especially following the last-minute replacement of the previous nominee, but many remain hopeful that voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies and Collins’ Kavanaugh vote could tip the balance in November.