WGAN Projects Troy Jackson Wins Maine Senate Race
Jackson, a Democrat, is projected to defeat five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins, pending official tallies and certification.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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WGAN has projected Democrat Troy Jackson as the winner of Maine's U.S. Senate race over Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Official race calls and final ballot tallies remain pending.
Why it matters
If the projected outcome holds through the official tally, Susan Collins' nearly 30-year Senate tenure will end. Under Maine law, results remain unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State's office.
The projection rests on preliminary data, and the race result is not official until Maine's Secretary of State certifies the final count. Ballot processing from Maine municipalities is still underway.
The players
Troy Jackson
Troy Jackson is a Democrat and Maine Senate President who previously worked as a logger in Allagash and campaigned on rural and natural resource issues.
Susan Collins
Susan Collins is a Republican who has served five terms in the U.S. Senate, one of the longest-serving senators in Maine's history.
The details
Jackson, the Senate President and a former logger from Allagash, built his campaign around healthcare access, protections for natural resource industries, and rural infrastructure investment. WGAN attributed Jackson's lead to turnout across northern and working-class communities, and he spoke to supporters in Augusta after the projection.
Timeline
Nov. 4, 2026: WGAN projects Troy Jackson as the winner of the Maine U.S. Senate race.
Legal Context
A projected defeat of a senator who has held her seat since 1996 would be a departure from Maine's recent pattern of long-serving federal incumbents. Official certification by the Maine Secretary of State will determine whether the projection becomes the formal outcome.
Maine voters' choice in the Senate race will determine the state's representation in the U.S. Senate for the coming term. Residents can track precinct-level results as counts are finalized.
The takeaway
Election results are preliminary until certified, so readers should watch for official confirmation before treating the projection as final. Precinct-level reporting can help show how turnout shaped the outcome.
What happens next
Maine's Secretary of State will certify the official results after final ballot tallies are completed.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage across Maine's federal races.
More information
Track real-time Maine precinct results and vote maps as official counts are finalized.
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