Full Breakdown
Collins-Jackson Debate: Accusations of Iran-War Profits and the Fight Over Maine’s Senate Seat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 8, 2026, Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson debated on television in Maine. The race is viewed as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate.
Background & Context
Collins, a five-term senator and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, touts $1.5 billion for 672 state projects. Jackson, former state Senate president, entered the race after the original Democratic nominee withdrew in July 2026. Both candidates have made the Iran war, energy costs, and alignment with former President Donald Trump central themes.
Data & Statistics
- Stock holdings – Collins’ 2025 disclosure (filed May 2026) shows her husband, Tom Daffron, holds $15,001-$50,000 each in Boeing, RTX and ConocoPhillips.
- War-powers votes – Collins says she voted nine times to end the Iran war; CQ Roll Call finds she voted with Trump 92 % in his second term and 90 % in his first. Jackson’s campaign cites a 96 % alignment.
- Electricity rates – Maine’s residential electric bill rose from $91/month in October 2020 to $157/month in October 2026 (72 % increase). The state public advocate attributes most of the rise to higher natural-gas prices and storm-damage repairs.
- Social-Security cap – Collins suggested adjusting the cap that currently excludes earnings above $184,500.
Official Statements & Responses
- Collins – Rejected the profit allegation, calling it “absolutely outrageous” and demanding an apology. She highlighted her record on ending the Iran conflict and noted her husband’s investments are managed by a third-party adviser with no trades in three years.
- Fact-checkers – WMTW labeled Collins’s “nine times” claim as “selective counting,” noting she voted against war-powers resolutions five times. The same outlet called Jackson’s profit allegation “unsubstantiated” but reported the disclosed stock values.
Criticism & Opposition
Jackson cited a September ProPublica report alleging a pay-to-play scheme involving defense-contractor donations to Collins’s office. Collins called the report “completely false” and “very offensive.” Jackson also referenced Collins’s 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, arguing it helped overturn Roe v. Wade; Collins defended the vote as based on qualifications.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Trump alignment – Reported alignment figures range from 72 % to 96 % depending on methodology.
- Impact of Iran war on prices – Jackson links high heating-oil costs to the war; Collins and the public advocate point to natural-gas prices and infrastructure repairs. Direct causal data are lacking.
- Stock value impact – Disclosed holdings total $30,000-$100,000, but Boeing and RTX shares have declined since the war began, leaving the financial impact unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Senator Collins and her husband are making money — more — off this war, and so are a whole bunch of other people,” — Troy Jackson
- “That is absolutely outrageous, and you owe me an apology,” — Susan Collins
- “I have voted nine times to bring the war in Iran to an end under the War Powers Act,” — Susan Collins
What’s Next
The candidates have three more debates scheduled for October 2026, with the election in November. Both campaigns say they will continue to press the profit-accusation narrative and the broader debate over Trump’s influence in Maine.