Fox News Poll: Collins and Jackson Tied at 49% in Maine Senate Race

3.2 · 9d ago · US

The Facts

  • A Fox News poll of Maine likely voters shows Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson tied at 49% each. Fox News only
  • The poll was conducted Oct. 16-20, 2026, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), with 1,689 registered voters; the 1,514 likely-voter subsample has a margin of error of ±2.5 points. Fox News only
  • All interviews were completed after the candidates' Oct. 15 debate. Fox News only
  • 37% of Maine voters approve of President Trump's job performance and 62% disapprove, including 54% who strongly disapprove. Fox News only
  • 53% are concerned Collins votes with Trump too much; 46% are concerned Jackson is too liberal. Fox News only
Dive deeper · 7 more factsShow less
  • 53% prefer a Democratic-led Senate versus 45% who prefer Republican control. Fox News only
  • Favorability: Jackson 47% favorable/49% unfavorable; Collins 47%/51%. Fox News only
  • 79% of Democrats and 61% of Republicans say they are extremely interested in the election; Jackson leads by 16 points among extremely interested voters. Fox News only
  • Jackson leads by 40 points among the one in five voters who have already voted; Collins leads by 12 among those planning to vote on Election Day. Fox News only
  • In the governor's race, Democrat Hannah Pingree leads Republican Bobby Charles 49% to 39%, with independent Rick Bennett at 9%. Fox News only
  • Collins is seeking a sixth term; she won by nearly 9 points in 2020, and Trump lost Maine in 2024 by 7 points. Fox News only
  • Only 12% of Maine voters say their family is better off financially than two years ago. Fox News only

Context

A Fox News poll of Maine voters finds the Senate race between incumbent Republican Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson tied at 49% each. Collins is the only GOP senator seeking re-election this year in a state Trump lost in 2024.

The poll shows Democrats with an enthusiasm advantage and a negative view of Trump's job performance among Maine voters. Jackson leads among early voters, while Collins leads among those planning to vote on Election Day.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 2.

4 Business Analyst This is a poll release showing a tied Maine Senate race, which is a notable political development but not a concrete economic action or market-moving event, so it scores as minor-to-moderate news with limited direct economic impact.
4 News Editor A single poll release showing a tied Maine Senate race is a concrete data event but has limited immediate impact, mainly of interest to political observers and campaign watchers rather than broad public affairs.
3 Informed Citizen A horse-race poll is a statement of opinion rather than a concrete action, and it has limited impact on ordinary people beyond informing a regional election, though the close Maine Senate race gives it some interest.
3 Critical Reader A single poll of a competitive Senate race is a measurable snapshot of opinion but not a concrete event with direct policy or electoral impact, and it comes from one source.
3 Science & Tech Analyst A single opinion poll of a state Senate race is a minor news item with limited direct impact, though it touches a competitive midterm seat.
3 Global Affairs Analyst A poll result reports public opinion rather than a concrete political action, so it is minor news with limited impact despite the competitive Maine Senate race.
2 Policy Expert This is a poll release reporting voter opinion and horse-race numbers, which is a statement of public sentiment rather than a concrete governmental action, so it scores low.

Source

← All stories