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Collins and Jackson trade blame over Maine living costs in Senate debate

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson traded accusations on affordability, Trump ties and a recently revealed FBI investigation.

Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 18:04 UTC3 reports

The short version

Collins and Jackson clashed over living costs in Maine's Senate debate, with Collins blaming state policies in Augusta and Jackson blaming Collins's stance on Trump.[The Washington Sun]
Collins cited $1.5 billion for 672 projects and getting road salt off the tariff list, which Jackson mocked as insufficient.[ABC News · CBS News]
The debate date is reported inconsistently, with some reports saying Thursday and others Tuesday.[The Washington Sun · CBS News]

Collins said she secured $1.5 billion for 672 projects over the past five years.[ABC News]
Collins said she helped get concrete, pulp and road salt removed from the tariff list.[ABC News]
Jackson said affordability problems stem from Collins not standing up to Donald Trump.[The Washington Sun]
The debate covered housing, health care, Iran and a recently revealed FBI investigation that looked at Collins and her office.[The Washington Sun]
Collins said the Iran war was not well thought out and has raised global oil costs.[ABC News]
Collins said she opposes the trade war with Canada but has worked behind the scenes for exemptions on goods such as road salt.[CBS News]
Collins voted against the final One Big Beautiful Bill Act over Medicaid cuts, after an earlier procedural vote to advance it.[CBS News]

Reports differ on whether the debate was held on Tuesday or Thursday.[The Washington Sun · CBS News]
Jackson's allegations about Collins's ties to Trump and the FBI investigation are campaign assertions, and the reporting does not establish the investigation's details.[The Washington Sun]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.