By — Dan Cooney Dan Cooney Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-collins-jackson-face-off-in-maine-u-s-senate-debate Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Collins, Jackson face off in Maine U.S. Senate debate Politics Oct 15, 2026 4:45 PM EDT Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson will meet on the debate stage Thursday in one of the nation's most closely watched races during this midterm election cycle. The debate begins at 7 p.m. EDT. Watch live from Maine Public in the video player above. Collins, who first won election to the Senate in 1996, is seeking her sixth term. In a previous debate with Jackson, she touted her independence from President Donald Trump. Collins voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021. She also cast a key vote to confirm his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who later helped overturn Roe v. Wade. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Jackson, a former logger, state senator and former president of the state Senate, was not Democrats' first choice to run against Collins. Graham Platner won the primary in June, but ended his campaign after he faced rape and sexual misconduct allegations from former romantic partners. Maine Democrats then chose Jackson as their nominee at a state party convention. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rates the race as a Toss Up. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Dan Cooney Dan Cooney Dan Cooney is the PBS NewsHour's Social Media Producer/Coordinator. @IAmDanCooney
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson will meet on the debate stage Thursday in one of the nation's most closely watched races during this midterm election cycle. The debate begins at 7 p.m. EDT. Watch live from Maine Public in the video player above. Collins, who first won election to the Senate in 1996, is seeking her sixth term. In a previous debate with Jackson, she touted her independence from President Donald Trump. Collins voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021. She also cast a key vote to confirm his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who later helped overturn Roe v. Wade. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Jackson, a former logger, state senator and former president of the state Senate, was not Democrats' first choice to run against Collins. Graham Platner won the primary in June, but ended his campaign after he faced rape and sexual misconduct allegations from former romantic partners. Maine Democrats then chose Jackson as their nominee at a state party convention. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rates the race as a Toss Up. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now