Susan Collins did not win in Maine.
The Republican senator lost her bid for a sixth term to Democrat Troy Jackson in the U.S. Senate election held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Jackson’s victory ends Collins’ nearly three-decade career in the Senate and gives Democrats a major pickup in a state that has increasingly favoured Democratic candidates in federal elections.
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Susan Collins loses Maine Senate race
Collins conceded the race to Jackson after polls closed, bringing her long tenure as Maine’s senior federal representative to an end.
She was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and had successfully defended the seat in every subsequent election, including a 2020 contest against Democratic challenger Sara Gideon.
Collins entered the 2026 campaign seeking a sixth term.
Her defeat makes Jackson the next senator-elect from Maine, subject to the completion of the state’s election certification process.
Who won the Maine Senate race?
Troy Jackson won the Maine Senate race.
Jackson, a Democrat and former president of the Maine Senate, defeated Collins in a contest closely watched by both parties.
The election was held on November 3, 2026, as part of the U.S. midterm elections.
Maine’s Secretary of State reported that election-night results were unofficial while municipalities and state officials continued the certification process.
Jackson’s victory is especially significant because Collins had been the only Republican member of Congress representing New England.
Her loss leaves the region without a Republican senator or member of the U.S. House.
Why the result matters
The Maine race was one of the Democrats’ most important Senate targets in 2026.
Collins had built a reputation as a Republican willing to break with her party on some major issues, but Democrats increasingly argued that her overall record still linked her to the national Republican agenda.
Jackson’s campaign sought to make the contest a referendum on Collins’ relationship with President Donald Trump and on the direction of the Republican Party.
Maine voters also considered issues including health care, abortion access, household costs and the state’s economic pressures.
The result demonstrates the difficulty of maintaining a Republican Senate seat in a state that has voted Democratic in presidential elections for decades.
Collins had repeatedly overcome that political environment, but Jackson succeeded in ending her winning streak.
What happens next?
Maine election officials will continue the formal process of reviewing and certifying the results.
Jackson is expected to take office when the new congressional term begins in January 2027.
Until then, Collins remains Maine’s sitting U.S. senator.
Her defeat does not immediately remove her from the Senate, but it means she will not return for another term after the current Congress concludes.
The change will also affect the Senate’s committee structure and the balance of power in Washington.
Collins had served in senior leadership roles, including as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, giving Maine significant influence over federal spending decisions.
Maine Senate result at a glance
| Race | Winner | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate, Maine | Troy Jackson, Democrat | Defeated incumbent Susan Collins |
| Election date | November 3, 2026 | 2026 U.S. midterm election |
| Political impact | Democratic pickup | Republican-held seat changes parties |
In short, Susan Collins lost the 2026 Maine Senate race.
Troy Jackson will represent Maine in the U.S. Senate after the transition to the new congressional term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Susan Collins win the 2026 Maine Senate race?
No. Republican Sen. Susan Collins lost her reelection bid to Democrat Troy Jackson.
Who won the Maine Senate election?
Democrat Troy Jackson won the U.S. Senate race in Maine.
When was the Maine Senate election held?
The election was held on November 3, 2026, during the U.S. midterm elections.
When will Troy Jackson take office?
Jackson is expected to take office when the new congressional term begins in January 2027, after the results are certified.
How long had Susan Collins served in the Senate?
Collins was first elected in 1996 and had served nearly 30 years before losing the 2026 election.
Fact-Checked: Key election facts were checked against the Maine Secretary of State’s election information and U.S. Senate election reporting confirming Troy Jackson’s victory over Susan Collins. ([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting/election-results-data?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Election-night results may remain unofficial until Maine election officials complete the certification process.