Maine Senate Race Hits Final Days

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson are in the final push for votes in Maine with less than seven days until the election. The race has become a tight contest that could decide control of the U.S. Senate. Both candidates described their remaining campaign schedules as intense and nonstop.

Collins campaigned in Bath on Wednesday, where she greeted iron workers beginning their shift. Jackson held a canvassing rally in Brunswick during the same window. The Democrat also received support from Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who made several stops in the state. Kelly called the election important and noted that close races like this one are more common than many observers expect.

The campaign has turned personal. A Republican super PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund, aired ads suggesting Jackson and his partner are second cousins. Jackson blamed Collins for the strategy, arguing that her team spends millions attacking his family. He described the ads as upsetting. Collins responded by saying the lies in the campaign disappoint her. She also called for some of the advertisements to be pulled.

Political analyst Mark Brewer expects the outcome to be unclear on election night. He predicted that it may take days to determine the winner. The result will likely depend on a narrow margin of victory.

Kelly plans to continue his campaign tour in New Hampshire on Thursday. He will support Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in that state’s Senate race. Maine voters will head to the polls this week to cast their ballots in the closely watched election.