Collins and Jackson clash in final days of Maine Senate fight

The Maine Senate race has entered its final week with both candidates actively campaigning across the state.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson are treating the next seven days as a nonstop effort to secure votes. Collins described the schedule as intense, while Jackson expressed confidence in his chances to win the seat.

On Wednesday, the two rivals split their time between different parts of the state. Collins met with iron workers starting their shift in Bath. Jackson held a canvassing event in Brunswick to mobilize local supporters.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona joined Jackson for multiple campaign stops. Kelly, who is considered a potential presidential candidate, noted that the race is tighter than many expected. He said visiting Maine was a good decision because the margin could be very narrow.

The campaign has become contentious over a series of ads from the Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund. The ads suggested that Jackson and his longtime partner are second cousins. Collins asked for some of those spots to be removed, while Jackson blamed her for the attacks on his family.

Political analyst Mark Brewer expects the outcome to be difficult to determine on election night. He stated that it may take several days to count all the votes. Kelly is scheduled to campaign for Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire on Thursday.