Susan Collins Rips Into Troy Jackson Over Logger Roots, Sparks Outrage

The Maine Senate race is heating up as incumbent Republican Susan Collins unleashes a vicious attack on her Democrat opponent, Troy Jackson, targeting his logger background. This move has drawn sharp criticism from voters and political figures across the state.

A new ad campaign features Bill Green, a retired sportscaster, who claims Maine politics has sunk into "the gutter." He endorses Collins as "one of the most decent and honest people I know," but his comments take a turn when he dismisses Jackson's qualifications.

"I also know Troy Jackson, but we’re not talking about buying a cord of wood here," Green states. "We're sending someone to the U.S. Senate, and Troy doesn't have the tools he needs to be effective."

Jackson fires back, labeling both Green and Collins as "out of touch." He argues that their comments belittle the struggles of working-class Mainers. "But this is about a cord of wood," he asserts in a video posted to X. "It’s about an economy that Senator Collins has created that people can’t afford to heat their homes."

The backlash against Collins's ad is palpable. Critics argue it demeans blue-collar workers in Maine. Jason Shedlock, president of the Maine Building and Construction Trades Council, states, "Susan Collins has spent the last 30 years trying to convince us that every Mainer has a cold and she's the only one with a tissue." He adds, "We're not buying it," emphasizing that rising fuel prices make it impossible for many to afford heating.

Jordan Wood, a former Democratic candidate for Congress in Maine, expresses his disbelief on X: "Bill Green’s latest ad for Susan Collins made my jaw drop. A pathetic end to both of their careers. Mainers will reject these despicable attacks next Tuesday."

Jackson's campaign highlights his blue-collar roots, branding him as a "fifth-generation logger from Allagash." However, following his financial disclosure, it was revealed he has only logged sporadically since entering the Maine House of Representatives in 2002.

In the ad funded by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Green argues that Jackson's background renders him unfit for Congress while asserting that Collins "delivers for Maine."

Green is no stranger to campaign ads for Collins; he previously appeared in her 2026 campaign and others. His involvement was seen as pivotal in her reelection in 2020, despite her trailing in polls before Election Day.

Jackson responds directly to Collins on X: "Senator Collins, I think you are a little out of touch. This is about a cord of wood—and about Mainers struggling to afford to heat their homes this winter." He shares his personal experience with fuel shortages, blaming Collins for making life harder for Mainers.

Criticism of the ad extends beyond Jackson and the Maine Democratic Party. Activist Jess Craven condemns it as a "slap in the face to working Americans," pointing out Jackson's extensive experience in the state legislature.

Sam Patten, a former staffer for Collins, expresses disbelief over the ad's content on Facebook: "For more than 30 years, Susan Collins has carefully concealed her intrinsic arrogance... With this ad, she gave that act up." He concludes bluntly, "The race is over."

The Maine AFL-CIO also denounces the ad as elitist and condescending. They assert, "Susan Collins has spent so much time in Washington she thinks working-class Mainers are beneath her. We don’t need anymore millionaires in Congress."

The issue of attack ads has been contentious throughout the Maine Senate race. Jackson has accused Collins of corruption and profiting from her political position. Meanwhile, Collins has distanced herself from certain negative ads targeting Jackson.

Tracking firm AdImpact reports that Republicans are significantly outspending Democrats in the Maine Senate race, with $116.7 million spent on aired ads compared to $86 million by Democrats.

As early voting begins, 220,814 mail-in ballots have been returned in Maine. Polls indicate a tight race, with Jackson leading in most surveys since late July.

An Echelon Insights survey shows Jackson with a 7-point lead over Collins—51 percent to 44 percent—just outside the margin of error. A Marist University poll also indicates Jackson at 49 percent and Collins at 47 percent.

Prediction markets reflect Jackson's stronger position, with odds at 64 percent as of Wednesday morning, up from 60 percent a month ago.