Susan Collins Ads Draw Backlash

What happened

Updated Oct 27, 9:00pm ET

Ads supporting Susan Collins drew backlash for targeting Troy Jackson’s profession and personal relationship. Collins called for a Republican super PAC radio ad about Jackson’s longtime partner to be taken down. Another Collins campaign ad, featuring former news anchor Bill Green, said Jackson lacked the tools to serve in the Senate and contrasted the job with buying a cord of wood. Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democratic challenger Jackson in a close Maine race that could help decide Senate control. Jackson said Collins was out of touch and said he knew what running out of heating fuel felt like. Both candidates were making final appeals across Maine before Election Day.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets cast the backlash as a closing-stage risk for Collins, emphasizing working-class offense, personal-smear claims, and Democratic optimism. Raw Story said Collins’s attack on Jackson’s logging background exposed disdain for working-class Mainers and threatened to backfire. CNN reported Jackson allies’ argument that Collins encouraged scrutiny of his relationship before distancing herself as Republican attacks turned personal. The Daily Beast cited Nate Silver on Democratic voter motivation while noting Jackson’s economic message and a polling edge as reasons for optimism.