Maine U.S. Senate Voter Guide: Collins and Jackson on Health Care and Immigration
Two candidates are on the ballot for U.S. Senate in Maine on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson.
The Digital Free Press voter guide video compares the two side by side on health care and immigration. Here is where each one stands, based on the video and the candidates' own statements.
Six declared write-in candidates also filed with the Maine Secretary of State's office, so the race will use ranked-choice voting, and voters can rank up to three names. The write-ins, as listed by the Bangor Daily News, are Brent Andrews (unaffiliated), Sigrid Ann Olson (Democrat), Gina Oswald (independent), Joseph Steinberger ("Faith in Humanity"), Mike Turcotte (unenrolled) and Ashley Webb (Democrat). Their names will not be printed on the ballot, and a write-in vote counts only for a declared candidate. Because of ranked-choice voting, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told the Maine Morning Star the final result may take days or weeks.
Susan Collins (Republican)
Collins is the incumbent and is seeking a sixth term. First elected in 1996, she is Maine's longest-serving member of Congress and has chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee since 2025, according to the Maine Morning Star.
On health care, the video says Collins wants lower premiums, more affordable choices and protection for people with pre-existing conditions. She told the Morning Star she would focus on lowering insurance premiums, expanding affordable choices and protecting people with pre-existing conditions, and she pointed to her support for medical research funding, including a $400 million increase for the National Institutes of Health.
On immigration, the video says Collins wants enforcement focused on people with criminal convictions, plus a secure border. She told the Morning Star that enforcement should target people in the U.S. illegally who have criminal convictions, and that the country must secure its borders and enforce its laws. She has criticized some ICE tactics but opposes calls to eliminate the agency, and she voted in June for $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol, the outlet reported.
Troy Jackson (Democrat)
Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash who served as president of the Maine Senate from 2018 to 2024. He became the Democratic nominee at a party convention in late July, after primary winner Graham Platner left the race, according to the Maine Morning Star and the Bangor Daily News.
On health care, the video says Jackson would vote for Medicare for All and negotiate lower drug prices. He told the Morning Star he would also work to keep insurance companies from profiting by denying care, and he pointed to his work in the Maine Senate on prescription drug costs, rural health care and nursing homes.
On immigration, the video says Jackson wants to abolish ICE and overhaul immigration policy. He told the Morning Star the U.S. needs to abolish ICE and comprehensively change immigration policy so that federal officials can be trusted and people are not racially profiled.
Where to Follow the Candidates
Susan Collins: @SenSusanCollins on X. Troy Jackson: @TroyJackson207 on X and @troyjackson207 on TikTok.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This guide is for information only; The Digital Free Press does not endorse any candidate.
Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press
Hold Everyone Accountable.
Sources: Maine Morning Star, Voter Guide, 2026 U.S. Senate general election: https://mainemorningstar.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-u-s-senate-general-election/ ; Maine Morning Star, "The outcome of Maine's US Senate race may not be known for weeks. Here's why." (Oct. 21, 2026): https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/10/21/the-outcome-of-maines-us-senate-race-may-not-be-known-for-weeks-heres-why/ ; Bangor Daily News, "6 write-in candidates file to challenge Susan Collins and Troy Jackson" (Aug. 25, 2026): https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/08/25/politics/6-write-in-candidates-challenge-susan-collins-troy-jackson/ ; Susan Collins campaign: https://www.susancollins.com/ ; Troy Jackson campaign: https://www.jacksonformaine.com/
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