Collins insists socialist rival won't beat her as Maine's money machine: 'You'll lose big time'
BANGOR, Maine — Republican Sen. Susan Collins is warning that Maine could lose crucial federal funding if voters replace her with Democrat Troy Jackson, as a new poll shows the...
By Fox News · Fox News
BANGOR, Maine — Republican Sen. Susan Collins is warning that Maine could lose crucial federal funding if voters replace her with Democrat Troy Jackson, as a new poll shows the candidates statistically tied ahead of their final debate Thursday. Jackson, a one-time logger and former Maine Senate president, edged Collins 49%-47% in a Suffolk University poll conducted Oct. 8-11 and released on the eve of the final debate. Jackson's two-point edge over Collins among likely voters was well within the survey's margin of error, and the poll was the latest to indicate an extremely close contest. The face-off between Collins and Jackson in the blue-leaning Northern New England state is a top flip opportunity for the Democrats as they try to win back the Senate majority from the Republicans in the midterm elections. The Fox News Power Rankings rate the race in Maine as a toss up, as do leading nonpartisan political handicappers the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. CAN A FORMER NFL SIDELINE REPORTER HELP REPUBLICANS FLIP A SENATE SEAT IN BLUE-LEANING MINNESOTA? "Maine voters lose out big time if Troy Jackson were to be elected," Collins said in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview on Wednesday. Collins, who is running for a sixth six-year term in the Senate, has showcased her nearly three decades of Senate experience and her leadership role as Senate Appropriations Committee chair as integral to her ability "to get so much done for the people of Maine." She warned that if Jackson replaced her, "he'll be 100 in seniority, and all of that essential federal funding targeted for the state of Maine , virtually all of it will go away." Jackson has argued that Collins has not used her Senate power to protect Maine families from soaring energy, food, and housing costs. "Sen. Collins has told us how powerful she is," Jackson said during their first debate. "But power means nothing if you won't use it when the people may need it." Jackson and Democ…