Susan Collins announces plans to attend 4 U.S. Senate debates
Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins said Thursday she has accepted four invitations to appear in televised debates this fall, setting the stage for a high‑profile series of joint appearances in Maine’s Senate race. Collins, a five‑term incumbent, issued the announcement while her Democratic opponent, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, has yet to confirm whether he will take part in the proposed format.
The first debate is slated for early September and will be co‑hosted by News Center Maine, Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald. Organizers have not yet set an exact date for that event. Three additional debates are planned for later in the season, to be broadcast by WGME, a joint effort by WABI and WAGM, and by WMTW. Those dates will be announced once they are finalized.
Collins’ campaign emphasized that voters deserve the chance to see both candidates answer the same questions, in the same room, more than once and as soon as possible. “Sen. Collins believes that Maine people deserve the chance to see both candidates answer the same questions, in the same room, more than once, and as soon as possible,” said campaign spokesperson Shawn Roderick.
Jackson’s team responded with a mix of enthusiasm and caution. “Troy Jackson can’t wait to debate Susan Collins and hold her accountable for a record that has made life harder for working Mainers after she voted with Trump 96 % of the time,” said Jackson’s spokesperson Dan Gottlieb. The campaign also pointed to Jackson’s ongoing schedule of public town halls across the state, contrasting it with Collins’ lack of a public town hall in 25 years. “Troy is already holding town halls across Maine and taking questions directly from voters, while Susan Collins hasn’t held a public town hall in 25 years,” Gottlieb said. He added that the campaign prefers “any debates should be town hall debates — with Mainers in the room asking the questions that matter to their families. We look forward to seeing Sen. Collins on stage.”
The Maine Senate contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched and costly U.S. Senate races this cycle, with national Democrats targeting the seat as a potential pickup. In the last election cycle, Collins faced Democrat Sara Gideon in four debates, along with two independent candidates. This fall’s race is shaping up to be equally intense, with both sides vying for the spotlight ahead of the November vote.
Both campaigns have indicated they are open to further discussion about the debate format, suggesting that the details could still evolve as the election draws nearer.
