Republican Senator Susan Collins distanced herself from Donald Trump during a televised debate in Maine on Tuesday, presenting herself as an independent figure in a state that has voted against the president three times. Collins, facing Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in a critical Senate race, said she opposes the war with Iran and tariffs on Canada.
Collins highlights independence from party
Collins described herself as not the president's "favorite senator," a notable boast for a Republican. She noted that she voted with Joe Biden, a Democrat, more than 90% of the time during his presidency. She also emphasized her record of voting against her own party more than any other senator.
Jackson, 58, a former state legislator, attacked Collins as a Trump loyalist, stating she voted with the president 96% of the time. He focused on her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, linking it to the court's overturning of Roe v Wade, which had guaranteed the national right to abortion for half a century.
Jackson challenges Collins on Kavanaugh vote
"Tonight is about who you stand with when it matters," Jackson said in his opening statement. "Eight years ago today, Maine women went to DC and begged Senator Collins not to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, but she did it anyways. He helped overturn Roe v Wade, and today she says she has no regrets. Would you trust her to pick the next supreme court justice?"
Collins, 73, has been a senator since 1996 and has often portrayed herself as a moderate. Her stance aligns with Maine's Democratic-leaning profile, as the state has not voted for Trump in any of his three presidential campaigns and has backed Democratic presidential candidates in every election since 1992.
Collins opposes Iran war and Canada tariffs
Collins went out of her way to differentiate herself from Trump on several issues, including the war with Iran, which she said she voted to end nine times, calling it "not well thought out."
When moderator Gregg Lagerquist mentioned Trump's suggestion of a campaign visit to Maine, Collins reacted warily. "I don't think that President Trump is going to come to Maine," she said. "He's talking about going to a lot of different states. I've heard nothing from his office, and I'm not exactly his favorite senator."
She also stressed her differences with the president on matters affecting Maine's economy, including rural healthcare and tariffs against Canada, with which the state shares a border. "I have been the most outspoken opponent of the tariffs on Canada," she said. "Canada is not China. It's our neighbor and our friends."
Jackson, who replaced Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate after Platner withdrew in July following sexual assault allegations he denied, had his first chance to present himself to a broad audience. Polls show the two candidates running neck and neck.
