The Maine Senate race remains deadlocked between incumbent Republican Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, according to a CBS News poll released on October 2, 2026. Despite Maine’s generally Democratic-leaning electorate and national political winds that favor Democrats, Collins has managed to stay competitive by insulating herself from national trends and appealing to voters focused on state issues. Collins leads on the question of who can successfully deliver federal funds to Maine and secures support from roughly one in five voters who disapprove of Donald Trump, outperforming typical Republican congressional candidates nationally. Furthermore, Collins retains loyalty from a significant portion of her past voters, even in what is otherwise considered an anti-incumbent year, and wins nearly 20 percent of voters who believe Jackson’s economic policies would improve their financial situation. Jackson’s campaign draws strength from voters who believe Collins aligns too closely with Trump, oppose tariffs, want Democrats to control the Senate, and prioritize change over legislative experience. However, Jackson faces hurdles within his own base, as four in 10 Democrats and a majority of independents report wishing for a different nominee. He also trails behind Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Hannah Pingree, whose stronger lead mirrors the state’s broader partisan lean and benefits from ticket-splitting voters who simultaneously support Collins. With 10 percent of the electorate remaining undecided, the outcome of the contest hangs in the balance. The CBS News and YouGov survey polled 1,114 registered voters in Maine between September 23 and October 1, 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
Source: cbsnews.com
