Susan Collins announces plans to attend 4 U.S. Senate debates
Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson and Republican Sen. Susan Collins. (Photos by Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer and J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)
Sen. Susan Collins announced Thursday she has accepted invitations to participate in four televised debates in the U.S. Senate race this fall — but it’s unclear if her opponent will agree.
Collins, a Republican five-time incumbent, is facing a challenge from Democrat Troy Jackson, former president of the Maine Senate.
She has proposed that the first debate be held in early September. The debate would be hosted jointly by News Center Maine, Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald. A date has not yet been set.
In a news release, Collins’ campaign said she has also accepted invitations to three additional debates, to be hosted by WGME; WABI and WAGM; and WMTW. Those dates will be announced when they are finalized, the campaign said.
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“Sen. Collins believes that Maine people deserve the chance to see both candidates answer the same questions, in the same room, more than once, and as soon as possible,” said Collins’ spokesperson Shawn Roderick.
Jackson campaign spokesperson Dan Gottlieb did not say if Jackson would agree to the media-hosted debates, noting in a written statement that the campaign would prefer town hall-style debates.
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“Troy Jackson can’t wait to debate Susan Collins and hold her accountable for a record that has made life harder for working Mainers after she voted with Trump 96% of the time,” Gottlieb said.
“Troy is already holding town halls across Maine and taking questions directly from voters, while Susan Collins hasn’t held a public town hall in 25 years. We believe any debates should be town hall debates — with Mainers in the room asking the questions that matter to their families. We look forward to seeing Sen. Collins on stage.”
The Senate race is expected to be one of the most closely watched and expensive U.S. Senate contests nationwide this fall, as Democrats are eyeing Maine as a pick-up opportunity.
During Collins’ last campaign in 2020, she debated Democrat Sara Gideon four times. The race featured two independents as well that year, Max Linn and Lisa Savage.
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Tagged: Sen. Susan Collins, senate 2026, Susan Collins, Troy Jackson
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in. More by Rachel Ohm
