BATH, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday sought to counter Democrat Troy Jackson’s argument that the billions in federal dollars she’s helped bring to Maine were not enough to make up for steep cuts to healthcare and more under the second Trump administration.
The senator pointed to her push for the Navy to build more destroyers at Bath Iron Works, where she and supporters greeted workers changing shifts. After lobbying from Collins and the rest of the Maine congressional delegation, the Pentagon earlier this month cleared a path for another destroyer to be built at the critical facility. The Trump administration’s 2027 budget request had only called for one, with officials citing capacity concerns.
“You could ask a lot of the workers at BIW,” Collins said. “I worked very hard in previous years to make sure the funding was there to build another destroyer, to be built by the best shipbuilders in the world.”
Hours earlier less than 6 miles away in Brunswick, Jackson campaigned alongside Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a potential 2028 presidential contender in a two-day swing supporting Maine Democrats. Jackson said what Collins brought to Maine amounted to “a pittance” compared to what’s been lost in funding for healthcare, veterans care and food assistance. He also cited Mississippi’s Ingalls Shipbuilding, which builds a wider variety of ships, having a larger backlog of ship orders.
The back-and-forth between the candidates, in a contentious toss-up that could decide which party controls the Senate, marked one of the final arguments for voters headed to the polls in just six days. Collins has touted her experience, bipartisan wins and a powerful position as chair of the Appropriations Committee. Jackson and his allies say she’s failed Mainers and too often sided with President Donald Trump.
Both were asked Wednesday what their final message was to voters, especially the small number of undecided Mainers. Jackson cited higher fuel prices, an unprovoked war in Iran, and punishing healthcare cuts.
“What I would say to people,” he said, “is ‘Do you think the government’s working for you?’”
The five-term incumbent stuck with the theme of her experience in Washington. Undecided voters, she said, should consider “who can do more for the people of Maine.”
“Someone who is the chair of the Appropriations Committee … or someone who is at the bottom for seniority?” she said, noting that she’s returning to BIW to meet workers during Wednesday’s night shift.