Democrat Troy Jackson Unseats Sen. Susan Collins in Maine

Maine Democrat Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins on Tuesday night, ending her 30-year Senate tenure. The race, one of the most expensive and closely watched of the 2026 midterms, followed a chaotic primary process after frontrunner Graham Platner dropped out amid a sexual assault allegation he denied. Jackson, a former state Senate president with ties to the labor movement, campaigned on cost-of-living pressures and painted Collins as aligned with Trump administration policies, while Collins defended her record as an independent voice securing federal funds for Maine. The article notes Maine residents are set to be heavily affected by stricter eligibility requirements for federal programs including Medicaid and food assistance.