Sen. Susan Collins ignited a social media firestorm this week with a pointed comment regarding her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, and his relationship with his second cousin, with whom he has two children. Collins made the remark to Politico columnist Jonathan Martin, stating, "I’m not going to bring up the fact that the mother of his two children is his second cousin. I don’t know whether people know that or not."
When Martin suggested she had indeed mentioned it, Collins maintained that it was up to voters to decide if Jackson's family ties would be a campaign issue, adding, "It’s not something I’m going to be emphasizing."
The exchange rapidly circulated online, prompting reactions from various political strategists and commentators. Democratic strategist Caitlin Legacki described the comment as "10/10" on X. Politico editor Mike DeBonis characterized it as a "less-than-2-minute precis of how Susan Collins is as stone-cold a political combatant as the Senate has ever seen." Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton noted, "This is why Susan Collins shouldn’t be underestimated—she’s a battle-tested politician." Eric Michael Garcia, The Independent's Washington bureau chief, assessed, "Don’t let the New England lilt and the pastel outfits fool you: Collins is still the Lady on the Iron Throne."
Jackson, who secured the Democratic nomination, shares the same great-grandparents as his partner, Lana Pelletier. Jackson's campaign has faced scrutiny over past incidents, including a 1988 physical altercation with a man believed to have romantic intentions toward Pelletier, and accusations from former colleagues of a volatile temper.
Collins has characterized Jackson as "neither new nor different," citing his two decades in state politics. She has also pointed to Jackson's record in Augusta, particularly regarding rising electric rates in Maine, which she claims have "skyrocketed" under his leadership. "Maine’s [energy prices] are the fourth highest in the country, and he voted against a bill recommended by the independent public advocate that would have helped lower rates," Collins stated. She contrasted this with her opponent, former Maine Senate President Graham Platner, who she noted has less of a public record.
Both Platner and Jackson have attributed Maine's challenges to Collins, despite Democrats holding control of the state legislature and governor's office. Collins, the sole Republican representing New England in Congress, is considered a potentially vulnerable incumbent, though she has a history of exceeding expectations in polls. According to RealClearPolitics, Jackson currently holds a narrow lead over Collins in aggregated polling data.