Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson clashed over billionaire donors, party loyalty and working-class voters Thursday night as their fourth debate took a notably personal turn. In the debate's top moments, Jackson needled Collins over whether she had meaningfully pushed back on Republican-led decisions she disagreed with. Collins defended her record and questioned whether Jackson would stand up to his own party when pursuing the best interests of Maine.
COLLINS INSISTS SOCIALIST RIVAL WON'T BEAT HER AS MAINE'S MONEY MACHINE: 'YOU'LL LOSE BIG TIME' Near the beginning of the night, Collins questioned whether Jackson had really kept campaign promises to reject billionaire donors that aligned themselves closely with his and other Democratic campaigns, noting FEC contribution records that seemed to clash with those assurances. "And as far as the billionaires that I might have on my campaign, that is accurate," Jackson admitted. "But I haven't… " Jackson paused for a moment as members of the crowd gave an audible reaction to the admission.
"I haven’t made any deals like Senator Collins has with those billionaires," he continued. "I’m going to tax those billionaires when I get to the U.S. Senate." Jackson did not specify what agreements he was referring to.
MAINE DEM SEN CANDIDATE'S 'WORKING CLASS' CRED SHREDDED BY BOTH PARTIES WHEN INTERNET SEES LATEST 'CRINGEY' AD Collins also faced questions about her independence from President Donald Trump. At one point, the moderator asked her to identify an instance when she had defied the president and changed the outcome of a decision. Collins cited her opposition to the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , who faced scrutiny during his nomination over his qualifications and allegations about his personal conduct.
"At one point, I had organized people to vote against Secretary Hegseth. As you undoubtedly have read, at the very last minute, one of our Republicans changed his mind. Otherwise, he would have been defeated for that job," Collins said.
Jackson countered that Hegseth was ultimately confirmed despite Collins' opposition. "Senator Collins likes to have it both ways. I mean, the reality is that 100% of the time when Donald Trump needs her, Susan Collins is going to be there.
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