U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) attends a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's supplemental funding request for the Department of Defense, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has surged into the lead against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, according to a University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday.
Jackson leads Collins 49 percent to 46 percent, a three-point advantage, just outside the margin of error, according to WGME.
The result represents a stunning reversal for Collins, who was expected to cruise to a comfortable victory after her original Democratic challenger Graham Platner withdrew amid sexual assault allegations.
Jackson enters Saturday's Democratic nominating convention as the clear frontrunner, securing endorsements from a substantial majority of delegates selected during county caucuses and locked-in support from Maine Beer Company owner Dan Kleban.
Fox News now lists Maine as one of just four genuine toss-up Senate seats with potential to determine chamber control.
Collins' vulnerability reflects the broader Republican midterm struggles, transforming what appeared to be a safe seat into a legitimate battleground.
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