Susan Collins launches 1st attack ads in reelection campaign for Senate

Susan Collins Launches New Attack Ads Against Democratic Senate Nominee Troy Jackson

WASHINGTON – In a fresh wave of mid‑term campaign tactics, Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins released two negative television ads this week that blame former Maine Senate president Troy Jackson for the state’s rising property taxes and electricity costs. The ads, which cite Jackson’s voting record during his time in the Maine Senate, are part of a broader strategy that also includes a politically charged interview with the national news outlet Politico.

The Ads and the Allegations

The commercials focus on two long‑standing economic issues that have kept Maine voters on edge. According to Collins’ campaign, Jackson’s leadership contributed to the steepest increases in property taxes nationwide and the highest rise in electricity prices during the year. In the spot, a spokesperson named Blake Kernen says that while “Maine’s problems are an Augusta issue, they worsened under Jackson’s tenure as Senate president.”

Meanwhile, in a Politico interview, Collins took a different angle, questioning Jackson’s personal life. Asked whether the mother of his two children is his second cousin, Collins replied that she would not emphasize the detail, noting that no state prohibits marriage to a second cousin. The remark, which many observers have viewed as an attempt to cast doubt on Jackson’s character, was accompanied by a broader critique of his political evolution.

Jackson’s Response and Background

Troy Jackson, who won the Democratic nomination on July 25 after a three‑party primary, has a long record of public service in Maine. He first ran for state office in 2000 as a Republican and lost. He won a seat in the state Senate in 2002 as an independent and became a Democrat in 2004. His political journey has been a subject of scrutiny; Collins notes that he moved from a conservative Republican stance to a “Democratic socialist” position, citing his shift on abortion rights as evidence.

Jackson’s campaign senior adviser, David Farmer, criticized the ads as “a desperate attempt to hold onto power and protect her billionaire backers.” Farmer also warned that Collins’ record, which shows 96 % of her votes aligned with President Donald Trump, is at the center of her attacks. “Mainers are seeing through it,” Farmer said. “They are ready to hold her accountable for her record and her failure to stand up to Donald Trump.”

Ad Spending in the Race

The latest ads are part of an escalating ad war. Ad Impact, a firm that tracks political advertising, reports that as of September 3, more than $138 million has been spent on Maine’s Senate race, with $45 million directed at negative advertisements. Since Jackson became the Democratic nominee, $50 million has been spent on campaign ads, including roughly $20 million on negative spots. Republican‑aligned groups spent $12.9 million on negative ads, while Democratic‑aligned groups spent $7 million.

Collins’ campaign has invested about $135 000 in the two new negative spots. However, most of her budget—over $5 million—goes to positive advertising that promotes her record and image. In 2020, Collins’ team spent nearly $1 million on attack ads against Democrat Sara Gideon, a race in which polls had shown Collins trailing, yet she ultimately won by a nine‑point margin.

Political Analysis

Political science professor Dan Shea of Colby College suggests that the timing of Collins’ attacks points to a perceived loss of momentum. “Her polling shows she’s likely losing key issues, the race is tight, and there’s a dramatic enthusiasm gap,” Shea told the Press Herald. “This could explain the aggressive negative messaging.”

Shea also argues that negative ads are less about persuading voters and more about energizing the base and boosting turnout, especially among swing voters who might otherwise abandon Collins for a viable alternative.

Broader Context

Maine’s Senate race has drawn attention nationwide, partly because Collins has been a consistent ally of President Trump, voting in line with the former president 96 % of the time. Jackson’s candidacy, meanwhile, highlights a shift in Maine politics, with a former Republican now representing Democratic views on issues such as abortion and climate change.

The campaign’s focus on economic issues—property taxes and electricity costs—also reflects a broader national debate over how states manage rising costs and energy infrastructure. Critics of Collins’ claims point to the fact that other states have managed to keep such costs lower than Maine’s during the same period.

Next Steps

The ads were released just ahead of a primary‑style showdown that could set the tone for the November election. Polling data, while still inconclusive, suggests the race remains close, with both candidates targeting different demographic groups across the state’s diverse political landscape. As the campaign season heats up, both sides are likely to intensify their messaging efforts, whether through traditional advertising, digital outreach, or public appearances.

For Maine voters, the debate centers on how best to address the state’s economic challenges and who can best represent the country in Washington. Whether Collins’ attack ads will sway public opinion remains to be seen, but the campaign’s latest developments underscore the increasingly polarized nature of contemporary political battles.