Collins demands apology after Jackson says she profits from Iran war in Maine debate
In short
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson met on Thursday in their second Maine Senate debate of the week, clashing over the Iran war, high energy prices, abortion and President Trump. After Jackson said Collins and her husband were making money off the war, Collins called the remark "absolutely outrageous" and said he owed her an apology; Jackson replied that she owed him one.
Read the full story 2 min read
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson met on Thursday in their second Maine Senate debate of the week, two days after their first encounter on Tuesday. The hourlong debate, hosted by WMTW, turned testy at times, The Hill reported, while The New York Times wrote that it quickly grew heated. The candidates argued over the Iran war, high prices, abortion, immigration and President Trump. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The sharpest exchange came over the Iran war. As the candidates debated record-high heating oil prices, moderator Jon Chrisos pressed Collins on her Senate votes on Trump's military moves in Iran. Collins said she has "voted nine times to end this war" under the War Powers Act; a live PolitiFact fact-check called that "selective counting," pointing to five times she voted against such resolutions. Jackson said: "Senator Collins and her husband [are] making money, more, off of this war." Collins replied: "That is absolutely outrageous, and you owe me an apology." Jackson answered: "No, you owe me an apology." [ 2 , 3 ]
Newsweek reported that Jackson did not retreat, arguing that Collins votes with Trump too often and accusing her of being influenced by corporate interests and defense contractors. Collins stressed that she is often at odds with her party, according to The Hill. The first question of the night, The Boston Globe reported, was about a ProPublica story alleging Collins gave out millions in government contracts to a private business in Hawaii in response to campaign donations; Collins denied any wrongdoing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On abortion, Jackson faulted Collins for supporting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, arguing his confirmation helped pave the way for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Collins said she authored a bill to codify Roe nationwide and pointed to Jackson's past anti-abortion voting record. "Was I voting the wrong way? Yeah, and I've said that consistently," Jackson said. [ 3 ]
Jackson became the Democratic nominee after Graham Platner dropped out in July. The Hill reported that Decision Desk HQ polling averages show Jackson leading the five-term incumbent by just over a point, while The Boston Globe said polls have shown either candidate barely ahead and the race has been viewed as a toss-up since August. Two more debates are scheduled later this month. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The Hill reported that Decision Desk HQ polling averages show Jackson leading the five-term incumbent by just over a point, and The Boston Globe described the race as a toss-up since August. The Hill wrote that the stakes were high for both candidates to avoid gaffes and produce clips that could move the close race, with two more debates scheduled later this month.
Key facts
- Collins and Jackson held their second debate of the week on Thursday; the first was on Tuesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The hourlong debate was hosted by WMTW and moderated by Jon Chrisos, according to The Hill. [ 2 ]
- Jackson said Collins and her husband were making money off the Iran war; Collins said the remark was "absolutely outrageous" and that he owed her an apology. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Collins said she has "voted nine times to end this war"; a PolitiFact live fact-check called this "selective counting", pointing to five times she voted against such resolutions. [ 2 ]
- The first question concerned a ProPublica story alleging Collins gave out millions in government contracts to a private business in Hawaii in response to campaign donations; Collins denied wrongdoing. [ 1 ]
- Jackson became the Democratic nominee after Graham Platner dropped out in July. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Decision Desk HQ polling averages show Jackson leading by just over a point, The Hill reported. [ 2 ]
- Two more debates are scheduled later this month. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The debate on Thursday was the second between Collins and Jackson that week. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Collins said "That is absolutely outrageous, and you owe me an apology" after Jackson linked her to profiting from the Iran war. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Jackson tied Collins to President Trump during the debate. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Collins is a Republican incumbent and Jackson is her Democratic challenger. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Jackson replaced the party's initial Democratic nominee, who withdrew this summer. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The debate lasted an hour. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How many times Collins voted to end the Iran war under the War Powers Act. Collins said nine times; PolitiFact, as reported by The Hill, called this selective counting and pointed to five votes against such resolutions.
- Whether the ProPublica allegations about contracts for a Hawaii business are accurate. Reported only by The Boston Globe citing ProPublica; Collins denied any wrongdoing.
- Which candidate leads the race. The Hill cited polling averages with Jackson up by just over a point, while The Boston Globe said polls have shown either candidate barely ahead and the race has been a toss-up.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Boston Globe publishes takeaways from the second debate, calling it more substantive than the first. [ 1 ]
- The Hill reports the debate took a testy turn over the Iran war and high prices. [ 2 ]
- Newsweek reports Collins demanded an apology from Jackson. [ 3 ]
- The New York Times reports the debate quickly grew heated. [ 4 ]