Susan Collins Faces Backlash Over Controversial Attack Ad Targeting Troy Jackson

In the final stages of the Maine Senate race, incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins has drawn sharp criticism for a new attack ad targeting her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, over his background as a logger. The ad, featuring retired News Center Maine sportscaster Bill Green, has been widely condemned across Maine for belittling working-class voters and sparking accusations of elitism and insensitivity.

The Content and Impact of the Controversial Ad

The ad, approved by Collins and funded by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), features Bill Green stating that Maine politics has “gone into the gutter” before endorsing Collins as “one of the most decent and honest people I know.” Green then asserts, “I also know Troy Jackson, but we’re not talking about buying a cord of wood here. We’re sending someone to the U.S. Senate, and Troy doesn’t have the tools he needs to be effective.”

This message has been perceived by many as an attack on Jackson’s blue-collar roots, which the Jackson campaign has consistently highlighted, describing him as a “fifth-generation logger from Allagash.” Jackson’s camp notes that while he has only periodically engaged in logging since his 2002 election to the Maine House of Representatives, his connection to working-class Mainers remains central to his appeal.

Troy Jackson’s Response and Defense

Jackson responded sharply to the ad, calling both Green and Collins “out of touch” and accusing them of talking down to people like him. Posting on X, Jackson said, “But this is about a cord of wood. It’s about an economy that Senator Collins has created that people can’t afford to heat their homes.”

In an accompanying video, Jackson shared personal struggles, saying, “I do know what I’m talking about. I’ve certainly ran out of fuel before. I’ve watched people across the state struggle for years and now because of Senator Collins and voting for the Iran war five times. It’s harder than ever.” He emphasized his lived experience as a working-class Mainer and pledged to bring that perspective to a Senate dominated by millionaires.

Mainers and Political Figures Condemn the Attack

The ad has sparked a wave of backlash from voters, political figures, and labor organizations across Maine. Jason Shedlock, president of the Maine Building and Construction Trades Council and a Democratic candidate for Maine House District 120, criticized Collins for what he called a long history of condescension toward working Mainers. Shedlock said, “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.”

Jordan Wood, a former Democratic congressional candidate, labeled the attacks “despicable” and predicted Mainers would reject them in the upcoming election. Activist Jess Craven called the ad a “slap in the face to working Americans,” noting that Jackson’s legislative experience, including six years as Maine Senate president, contradicts the claim that he lacks the tools to be effective.

Even a former Collins staffer, Sam Patten, expressed disbelief at the ad’s tone, calling it a reveal of Collins’s “intrinsic arrogance” and declaring “The race is over.” The Maine AFL-CIO also condemned the ad on X, accusing Collins of elitism and stating, “We don’t need anymore millionaires in Congress.”

Background on the Maine Senate Race and Previous Controversies

The race between Collins and Jackson has been contentious throughout, with attacks and counterattacks characterizing the final weeks. Jackson has frequently called the five-term senator “corrupt” and accused her of profiting from her office, while Collins’s campaign has sought to question Jackson’s personal relationships.

Bill Green, a respected figure in Maine, has appeared in Collins’s campaign ads before, including in 2020, when his involvement was credited by some as a factor in Collins’s reelection despite trailing in polls. However, this latest ad’s tone and messaging have clearly alienated many voters who identify with Jackson’s working-class background.

The heated exchange comes just days before the November 3 election, with both campaigns intensifying efforts to sway undecided voters. As the political temperature rises, the controversy over this ad highlights the sensitivities around class and representation in Maine politics.

The Collins campaign has not issued any comment outside regular working hours as Newsweek sought a response.