New Maine poll finds Jackson widening lead over Collins, but doubts remain
Margie Cullen- The poll found 54% of likely voters say they will or have already voted for Jackson, while 45% say they will or already have voted for Collins.
- Despite this, 56% of Mainers think that Collins will win the election, versus 26% who think Jackson will win.
- The poll found that Democrats are more interested and engaged in the election than Republicans, and 87% of Jackson voters say their vote is to oppose Trump.
Democrat Troy Jackson has opened up a lead over Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in the race for U.S. Senate in the final days before the election, according to the latest University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll.
The poll, released Nov. 1, found Jackson’s lead of four points in September has grown to nine points: 54% of likely voters say they will or have already voted for Jackson, while 45% say they will or already have voted for Collins.
Despite this, 56% of Mainers think Collins will win the election, while 26% think Jackson will win.
The president’s party historically loses seats in midterm elections, and the survey comes as polls across the country have found Democrats in the lead and pundits speculate about a “blue wave” amid voter disapproval of President Donald Trump and his policies. The poll found that Democrats are more interested and engaged in the election than Republicans, and 87% of Jackson voters say their vote is to oppose Trump.
The race has remained tight between the two candidates throughout the campaign, which saw Jackson take over the Democratic nomination after oyster farmer Graham Platner exited the race due to allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Democrats see defeating Collins, the only Republican senator to represent a state former Vice President Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election, as crucial to their chances at flipping the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate.
The poll surveyed 1,722 Maine residents online between Oct. 27-31. The margin of error is +/-2.4%.
Who will win Maine House races?
In the Republican-leaning 2nd District, former Republican Gov. Paul LePage has a lead over Democrat State Auditor Matt Dunlap, 52%-47%. This is flipped from September, when Dunlap led LePage 51%-45%.
Whoever wins will be taking over from Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, who was able to win re-election several times in the three-time Trump-won district by running as a moderate, blue dog Democrat who supported gun rights and said he would be "OK" with Trump winning reelection in 2024.
In the Democrat-leaning 1st District, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, holds a substantial lead over her Republican opponent Ronald Russell, 65%-32%. Pingree, 71, is running for her 10th term.
Who will win Maine gov race?
Democrat Hannah Pingree, former state House speaker and daughter of US Rep. Chellie Pingree, leads Republican Bobby Charles in the race for governor 51%-40%, according to the poll.
Most Mainers also think that Pingree will win.