Troy Jackson raises millions more than Susan Collins, but trails her in money race

Maine Senate Race Heats Up as Campaigns Dig Into the Bottom Line

By Ethan Horton, Maine News Now

Maine’s U.S. Senate race entered the final quarter of 2026 with a stark money picture. Republican Senator Susan Collins, seeking a sixth term, raised $3.9 million in July‑September, while her Democratic challenger, former state representative Troy Jackson, pulled in more than $19.4 million in the same period—plus roughly $1 million from outside groups. The numbers illustrate the growing financial gap in a contest that has been a statistical “tug‑of‑war” in polls.

The Spending Landscape

The statewide media trackers have logged a total of $151.5 million spent by Republican‑aligned groups and $110.7 million by Democrat‑aligned groups on television, radio, digital and print advertising. In the Senate race, the numbers are even more pronounced: Republicans have purchased or earmarked almost $12.4 million in advertising, while Democrats have spent or set aside about $20.4 million on media buys, according to AdImpact data.

Collins’ Campaign

Collins’ campaign spent about $11 million during the third quarter—almost all of it on advertising. Nearly $6.5 million went to media buys primarily through Mentzer Media Services in Towson, Maryland, and another $2.8 million was invested in digital fundraising and advertising with Targeted Victory, a Arlington, Virginia firm. The bulk of the spending—over 85%—was directed at television and digital spots aimed at Maine voters.

AdImpact also reports that the National Republican Senatorial Committee has added $2.6 million in advertising to Collins’ campaign, and the Senator’s joint fundraising committee has earmarked an additional $1.6 million.

Jackson’s Campaign

Jackson’s campaign, in contrast, has spent about $16.4 million in its first quarter and still held close to $4 million in cash as the quarter closed. Its advertising has largely been run through Chevy Chase‑based TKO Buying LLC and Washington, D.C.’s Sage Media Planning & Placement, Inc. The campaign’s overall advertising spend has already reached $20.4 million, with the rest of the budget earmarked for other outreach, including a $1.5 million investment in “list acquisition” to purchase donor information.

Fundraising Dynamics

The difference in fundraising has been even more pronounced than the difference in spending. Collins began the quarter with $11 million on hand—a figure that had been gradually depleted as she spent on advertising. The campaign then brought in another $3.9 million, with about $3.7 million coming from individual donors. Strikingly, only 11% of the individual contributions came from Maine residents; the bulk of the money was raised out of state.

Two of the campaign’s most noteworthy donors were former President George W. Bush (who gave $3,500 on August 26) and U.S. Secretary of Education and wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who also gave the maximum $3,500. Conservative megadonor Thomas Klingenstein added another $3,500 to the campaign’s coffers.

Jackson’s fundraising, by comparison, was a rapid surge from the start. The campaign claimed to have raised more than $19 million in its first quarter, with $1 million coming from PACs. Nearly 200,000 individual donors—almost every county in Maine—contributed to the effort, and 95% of the donations were $100 or less. High‑profile individuals such as Dan Kleban, who had briefly sought the Democratic nomination, donated $3,500, and another former candidate, Jordan Wood, matched that maximum. Union-backed PACs also poured tens of thousands of dollars into the campaign.

The Bigger Picture

The financial data underscore a broader trend in Maine’s 2026 election cycle: Republican‑aligned groups and the Senate race are spending far more on advertising than their Democratic counterparts. While Collins has long been the lone Republican senator from New England, the final weeks of the campaign have seen Democrats gain traction in polls, often holding a lead or at least a margin of error over Collins.

As the election day approaches, the money trail will likely remain a focal point for political observers. The stark contrast between the campaigns’ fundraising and spending—especially the outsized out‑of‑state donations to Collins and the grassroots, low‑value contributions that fuel Jackson’s machine—suggests that the final race will not only be a question of policy but also of how each side translates financial resources into voter reach.

For now, Maine voters can expect that the airwaves and digital platforms will be saturated with the messaging of both campaigns, each vying for a decisive edge in a contest that could reshape the political landscape of New England and the nation.