Full Breakdown
Maine Senate Race Heats Up: Data Centers, Tariff Relief and a Tight Voter Landscape
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Contest – Collins vs. Jackson
Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, seeking a sixth term, faces Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in one of the nation’s closest 2024 Senate races. Both candidates present themselves as moderate, but they diverge sharply on two issues that dominate Maine politics: AI-powered data centers and recent U.S. tariff exemptions for Canadian agricultural imports. The outcome could affect Senate control, as forecasters label the race a toss-up.
Data Center Debate in Maine
Maine voters oppose large data-center projects. A September 15 poll by The New York Times and Siena University of 619 respondents found 29 % support and 66 % opposition. Municipalities—including Bangor, Brunswick, Sanford, Scarborough, Westbrook and Buxton—have enacted moratoriums.
Collins highlighted her vote for the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which directs state utility regulators to consider standards that prevent high-volume users such as AI data centers from raising electric rates.
Tariff Exemptions for Agricultural Products
In early October, the Trump administration announced the removal of 50 % duties on nine categories of Canadian goods used by Maine’s blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed industries. The exemptions cover plastic boxes, crates, packing bags, refrigeration equipment, sealing and labeling machinery, packing equipment, film/foil strips, and seaweed products.
Jackson criticized Collins, stating, “Trump’s trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers” and accusing her of “enabling this chaos” while seeking credit for the exemptions.
Polling Landscape and Election Outlook
The RealClearPolitics average through October 20 placed Jackson at 48.8 % and Collins at 47.4 %. A Fox News poll (Oct 16-20) found both candidates tied at 49 %, and a Marist poll (Oct 1-4) gave Jackson a four-point lead.
Absentee voting began on October 5 and runs through October 29. As of October 26, 251,036 absentee ballots had been requested and 197,104 returned, with analysts noting an enthusiasm advantage for Jackson’s base.
Official Statements & Campaign Messaging
Collins presented the tariff exemptions as proof of her ability to leverage Washington relationships for Maine’s benefit.
Jackson’s campaign emphasizes federal and state “guardrails” on data-center development, warning that unchecked projects could strain power and water resources and affect public health. He also frames the tariff issue as evidence of broader economic harm caused by Trump’s trade policies.
Criticism & Opposition
Jackson directly challenged Collins’s credit-claiming narrative, asserting that the tariff relief stems from “Trump’s trade wars” and that Collins “enabled this chaos.” His criticism reflects the Democratic strategy of linking Collins to unpopular national policies while highlighting his own advocacy for stricter data-center oversight.
Data & Statistics
- Data-center public opinion (Sept 15 poll): 29 % support, 66 % oppose.
- Municipal moratoriums: Bangor, Brunswick, Sanford, Scarborough, Westbrook, Buxton.
- Tariff-exempt categories: 9 product groups (plastic boxes, crates, packing bags, refrigeration equipment, sealing/labeling machinery, packing equipment, film/foil strips, seaweed products).
- Polling averages: RealClearPolitics (Jackson 48.8 % / Collins 47.4 %); Fox News (both 49 %); Marist (Jackson 51 % / Collins 47 %).
- Absentee ballot activity (Oct 26): 251,036 requests; 197,104 returned.
What’s Next
Maine voters will continue to submit absentee ballots through October 29. Campaigns are expected to intensify outreach in the final week, with both candidates likely to highlight their stances on data-center regulation and economic relief for agricultural producers.