Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine
Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine state Senate president, defeated Republican Sen. Susan Collins, ending her nearly 30-year Senate tenure. Collins conceded Tuesday night before the Associated Press called the race. Jackson entered in late July after former Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew following an ex-girlfriend’s sexual-assault allegation, which Platner denies. The victory helps Democrats pursue a Senate majority.
More context
Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine’s U.S. Senate race, ending the nearly 30-year tenure of a senator who had repeatedly won in the Democratic-leaning state. Collins, first elected in 1996, conceded Tuesday night before the Associated Press called the race. Maine Public reported that Jackson then led by more than five percentage points with two-thirds of precincts reporting. Jackson, a former Maine state Senate president, entered the race in late July after Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew amid sexual-assault allegations made by an ex-girlfriend; Platner denies them. Maine Public reported that Republican groups spent more than $130 million and Democratic groups $94 million, for a combined total of at least $224 million, a record for the race. The result is a major win for Democrats seeking to retake the Senate majority.
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Reporting
- National Public Radio — Maine Senate race: Democrat Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins : NPR
- BBC News — Republican Susan Collins loses seat, ending almost 30 years in the Senate
- Axios — Susan Collins concedes to Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race
- wgme.com — Troy Jackson declares victory in Maine Senate race as Senator Susan Collins concedes
- mainepublic.org — Susan Collins concedes to Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race | Maine Public
- 19thnews.org — Maine Senate results 2026: Troy Jackson projected to win over Susan Collins
Verifier’s note
NPR, WGME, BBC News, Maine Public, Axios, and The 19th all report that Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race, with several also reporting Collins’s concession. Their reporting matches the proposed event and its timing.