Still no space between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race, CNN poll finds
Maine Senate Race Too Close to Call, Poll Finds
A new poll from CNN highlights the tightening contest for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, showing Democrat Troy Jackson with a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Susan Collins, though the difference falls within the survey’s margin of error. The poll, conducted by SRSS from August 31 to September 6, 2026, surveyed 880 likely voters and found Jackson at 48% and Collins at 45%. With a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points, the race remains statistically neck-and-neck, underscoring the high stakes as Election Day approaches in just two months.
Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and third-place finisher in the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary, entered the race in July after his predecessor, Graham Platner, withdrew amid an allegation of sexual assault, which he has denied. Collins, who has served in the Senate since 1997, brings decades of incumbency to the table, but the poll suggests voters are divided along sharp lines. Only 4% of respondents said they were undecided, indicating that the race will likely hinge on mobilizing base voters and swaying a small number of independents.
The survey reveals deep polarization among voters. Of those supporting Jackson, 71% said their vote was a statement against Collins rather than in favor of Jackson. In contrast, nearly three-quarters of Collins’ backers emphasized support for her over opposition to her challenger. This dynamic reflects Collins’ longer tenure and higher name recognition compared to Jackson, who is still building his profile. Collins’ favorability rating stood at 41%, with just over half of voters viewing her unfavorably. Jackson, meanwhile, had a 36% favorability rating, 42% unfavorable, and nearly 20% expressing no opinion—a sign that his campaign has room to define his candidacy.
Key issues shaping the race include the economy and cost of living, which nearly half of respondents cited as their top concern, followed by the state of American democracy at 27%. President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in Maine looms large, with about two-thirds of voters disapproving of his job performance, and almost half saying they would vote to express opposition to him. Collins has attempted to distance herself from Trump, particularly over the ongoing trade war with Canada, which she warns could harm Maine businesses through higher costs and uncertainty. The poll found that roughly 70% of voters view the tariffs negatively for the state.
Jackson’s campaign seized on the numbers, with spokesperson Maggie Amjad stating, “The numbers are clear: Mainers are ready for change and a senator who will actually show up and fight for them and that’s Troy Jackson.” Collins’ team, through spokesperson Shawn Roderick, countered that she “will continue making her case directly to Maine voters based on her record of bipartisan, independent leadership and delivering results for our state.”
The poll also provided a snapshot of the gubernatorial race, where Democrat Hannah Pingree leads Republican Bobby Charles 52% to 39%, with independent candidate Rick Bennett not included in the polling. As the campaign intensifies, the Senate race is expected to remain a toss-up, with both candidates needing to articulate a clear vision to Maine voters in the final months.
