How Maine voters feel about the high-stakes Senate election

Maine's U.S. Senate race is so uncertain that PBS NewsHour correspondent Lisa Desjardins says, after days of reporting, she cannot predict the outcome. Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democrat Troy Jackson, a logger turned state senator who replaced Graham Platner as nominee three months ago.

In Brownville, an area that has voted for Donald Trump three times, Collins attended a low-key firefighters' dinner that was not a campaign stop, and was honored for helping secure $2.8 million in federal money. Desjardins found local affection for her intact, even though she publicly withheld her vote from him. Collins voters appear divided, and southern Maine towns display homemade signs against her.

Jackson's supporters, some of whom initially preferred another candidate, said he spoke better at a Portland rally and a Kennebunk town hall with Sen. Elizabeth Warren. He has appeared impatient in debates and a CNN interview, and offered few specifics on delivering his pledges. On healthcare, he said ending the filibuster could let a simple majority act. Voters are energized yet worn out by the flood of ads.

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