Bitter personal attacks and Trump’s war in Iran highlighted in Thursday’s Senate debates in Alaska and Maine

Debates on Thursday night in Maine and Alaska turned openly personal, and Republican incumbents in both states worked to put distance between themselves and President Donald Trump's war in Iran. Each race could help decide which party controls the Senate, according to CNN.

In Bangor, a protester denouncing AI data centers halted the final showdown between Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. Collins said the person was a Jackson backer; he told her to "shut up" and said he did not know the individual. She pressed him over a campaign finance report promised by Wednesday, which he said was delayed by processing gifts from 200,000 people. He acknowledged taking billionaires' money. On Iran, Collins said Congress should have been consulted, but noted the War Powers Resolution gave Trump 60 days to act alone, which she said explains why she waited to vote on limiting him.

In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan cited allegations that Democrat Mary Peltola mistreated staff, and she accused him of dishonesty. Sullivan said the war, which has pushed up fuel costs there, should end soon, and he opposed Trump's plan to buy Russian diesel.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →