Maine Democratic Senate Nominee Fires Back at Susan Collins' Firewood Ad

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson answered a Susan Collins campaign ad that dismissed him with a line about firewood. His response ad, played during an MS NOW panel segment, argues that the Republican senator's real "tools" are the super PACs spending heavily on her behalf.

Maine is one of the closest Senate races in the country. Jackson leads Collins 49.3 percent to 46.7 percent in PolitiKool's polling average for Maine, a race that could help decide control of the Senate.

The Collins Ad and the 'Cord of Wood' Line

The Collins spot features Bill Green, a former Maine broadcaster, who calls Collins "one of the most decent and honest people I know." Then he turns to her opponent, saying the race is not about buying a cord of wood: "Now, I also know Troy Jackson, but ... We're sending someone to the U.S. Senate, and Troy doesn't have the tools he needs to be effective."

The MS NOW panel that aired Jackson's reply said the Collins ad drew criticism for taking aim at Jackson's working-class background and for mocking the people who sell cords of wood in Maine.

What Troy Jackson Said in His Response Ad

In the reply, Jackson says Collins and "her wealthy friends" think he is good enough to buy firewood from, "but I'm not good enough to be the next U.S. senator."

"They say I don't have the tools, but look, Susan Collins tools are super PACs that are bankrolled by billionaires ... lobbyists, and shell companies," Jackson says. "So look, I've never needed tools like that. I like my chainsaw and my splitting maul just fine."

He closes on Collins's character: "Where I'm from, you don't buy wood from people that break their word, screw people over, and cheat. I sure as hell wouldn't buy a cord of wood from Susan Collins, and I sure as hell wouldn't send her back to the U.S. Senate."

"I sure as hell wouldn't buy a cord of wood from Susan Collins, and I sure as hell wouldn't send her back to the U.S. Senate." — Troy Jackson

Who Is Funding the Maine Senate Race

The records bear out part of Jackson's money claims. Republican outside groups have booked about $126 million in ads backing Collins, according to AdImpact data reported by the Bangor Daily News. FEC filings show donors to that network include billionaires Miriam Adelson, Stephen Schwarzman, Ken Griffin and Elon Musk, who gave $10 million. One Nation, which does not disclose its funders, gave the Senate Leadership Fund $132.9 million through September.

The "shell companies" and lobbyist claims are Jackson's characterization. Collins has said dark-money groups "shouldn't exist," the Bangor Daily News reported, and Jackson has pledged to push for dark-money disclosure.

Jackson has outside help of his own. WinSenate, a super PAC tied to Senate Majority PAC, has booked $38.6 million in Maine ads, and about a third of Senate Majority PAC's money through June came from Majority Forward, a nonprofit that does not disclose its donors.

The Record Behind 'Break Their Word'

Jackson's charge that Collins breaks her word is his characterization. Democrats have long pointed to one vote: In 2018, Collins backed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation after saying he told her he considered Roe v. Wade "settled law," Maine Public reported. Kavanaugh then joined the 2022 majority that overturned Roe.

The Collins ad's own claim, that Jackson lacks the tools to be effective, is also arguable. Jackson's logging credentials have drawn scrutiny: the Bangor Daily News found that he last documented logging earnings 14 years ago, in 2012, that his state ethics filings show no logging income from 2013 onward, and that he has mostly earned his living from labor-union and political work since. His campaign says he "does not claim to be currently employed as one."

What Happens Next

Election Day is Tuesday.