The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Troy Jackson (D) defeated Susan Collins (R). The call came on November 4, 2026. Collins had held the seat since 1997 and conceded. Maine was the fourth Democratic pickup of the cycle — the one that took Democrats to 51 seats and control of the chamber. Jackson entered the race late, after the previous Democratic nominee withdrew.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Troy Jackson (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, November 4, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic pickup; the seat that delivered the majority |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. Full chamber results are on the Senate results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seat | U.S. Senate, Maine |
| Candidates | Susan Collins (R) and Troy Jackson (D) |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Registration deadline | See the Maine voting guide for registration options, including any same-day rule |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Maine |
Who is running?
This race is part of the wider fight for the Senate majority; our Maine Senate hub collects related coverage.
Susan Collins (Republican). Collins has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997, according to her official Senate biography, and she chairs the Appropriations Committee. She is the Republican nominee.
Troy Jackson (Democratic). Jackson is the president of the Maine Senate and worked as a logger, according to his legislative biography. He is the Democratic nominee.
Other candidates. Maine ballots can include independent and third-party candidates. The Maine secretary of state publishes the official lineup, and Vote.gov links to it.
Polls
Public polling in the Maine Senate race 2026 has been less frequent than in larger states, and averages shift as new surveys arrive. We do not publish a poll number we have not sourced. Statewide samples here are often modest, so the margin of error is wide, and the sponsor and field dates matter as much as the topline.
Where to find current numbers
- 270toWin's 2026 Senate tracker — state-by-state polling averages and race ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Maine surveys.
- Silver Bulletin — polling averages and a forecast model.
Each tracker dates its average, and each underlying poll lists a margin of error. Check both before you treat a lead as real; a lead of one or two points inside the margin is not a lead.
Race rating and forecast
Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ each rate Senate races on a scale that runs from safe for one party to toss-up. They do not always agree, and a rating is a judgment about the state of the race rather than a prediction. We do not restate a rating without its date, so check the current rating at each rater: Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ.
A toss-up rating means either party could win, usually within the range where polling error or a late shift decides it. Ratings change with new polling and spending, so check the date on any rating you read.
Key issues
The economy and the cost of living
Pew Research Center's September 28 to October 4, 2026 survey found that 84% of voters call the economy very important, the top answer for both parties. Home heating and electricity costs are likely to feature in both campaigns' closing arguments, along with the cost of insurance and groceries.
Health care
Health care is very important to 68% of voters in the Pew survey. Both candidates will be asked how federal spending and Medicare policy affect rural hospitals and the cost of coverage, two subjects that come up in Maine health care debates.
Abortion
Abortion is very important to 46% of voters overall, 43% of Republicans, and 49% of Democrats. The Senate votes on federal abortion legislation, so the race has a direct line to the issue, and both candidates will be asked where they would draw the line.
Democracy and election rules
Seventy-three percent of voters call the future of democracy very important, second on the Pew list. Federal rules on campaign finance and election administration sit in Washington, and both candidates will be asked how they would handle them. How Maine counts its own ballots is covered in the voting guide and by the secretary of state.
How to vote in Maine
Maine does not require an excuse for absentee voting, and voters can register in person, including at the polls on Election Day. Municipalities set their own polling places and hours, so confirm both before you go.
Check your registration and polling place at Vote.gov, and see the National Conference of State Legislatures for state rules. Our full Maine voting guide covers ID requirements and local deadlines.
What to watch in the Maine Senate race 2026
- Ranked-choice tabulation. Maine uses ranked-choice voting in some federal contests, and if no candidate clears 50% the count can take longer than election night.
- Turnout outside Portland. The state's smaller cities and rural towns often decide close statewide races, and both parties will watch whether they turn out at the same rate as the Portland suburbs.
- Spending by outside groups. National groups on both sides are likely to spend in the final week. Federal campaign finance filings are the best place to follow who is spending and where.
Results
Results were updated after polls closed on November 3, 2026. We do not report live results from the field; our results page links to official state counts and the AP race call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for Senate in Maine in 2026?
Republican Susan Collins, the incumbent and Appropriations chair, faces Democrat Troy Jackson, the president of the Maine Senate. The secretary of state publishes the full ballot lineup.
How long has Susan Collins been in the Senate?
Collins has served since 1997, according to her official Senate biography.
What do the polls show in the Maine Senate race?
Trackers publish a current average, but we do not repeat a number without a source and date. See the 270toWin, RealClearPolitics, and Silver Bulletin links above.
When is Election Day in Maine?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Municipal polling hours vary, so check the Maine voting guide.
Can I register to vote on Election Day in Maine?
Maine allows same-day registration at the polls. The Maine voting guide explains what to bring and where to register.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections — race tracker. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Vote.gov — registration and polling place lookup. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NCSL: Elections and campaigns — state election rules. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Pew Research Center — September 28 to October 4, 2026 issue survey. Accessed October 27, 2026.