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PoliticsRising · 16h

Collins and Jackson Clash on AI Data Centers, Iran in Third Maine Debate

Susan Collins defended her record and further distanced herself from Trump as Troy Jackson pressed her on data centers, the Iran war and tariffs.

newest coverage 5h agosummary written 1h ago8 pieces1 likes & upvotes NewswiresMastodonYouTube

What to know

  • Maine's Senate race between Collins and Jackson remains close three weeks before Election Day and is viewed as pivotal to control of the chamber.
  • The third of four debates saw Collins repeatedly distance herself from Trump on Iran strategy, Canada tariffs and the One Big Beautiful Bill.
  • AI data centers emerged as a flashpoint, with Jackson tying Collins to tech and billionaire donors and Collins touting proposed guardrail legislation.
  • Coverage described the debate as lower-energy than the first two, with both candidates emphasizing areas of agreement over new attacks.

“It sounds like Troy and I, oddly enough, are not that far apart on this particular issue.”

Susan Collins, Republican senator, Maine · Newsweek ↗ · Oct 12

Susan CollinsSusan Collins Republican incumbent senator, MaineTroy JacksonTroy Jackson Democratic Senate nominee, MaineDonald TrumpDonald Trump U.S. PresidentJanet MillsJanet Mills Governor of MaineGraham PlatnerGraham Platner Former Democratic Senate candidateBernie SandersBernie Sanders U.S. Senator, Platner backer

Collins and Jackson Clash on AI Data Centers, Iran in Third Maine Debate
Boston Globe

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideosposts

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  1. 2

    Commentators call third debate low-energy and forgettable

    The Boston Globe and other outlets described the third debate as subdued compared with the first two, noting both candidates emphasized agreement on AI, Iran, tariffs and heating costs rather than producing new sharp attacks.

    “Troy has repeatedly insulted my integrity all evening long. I just cannot continue to ignore these attacks on my integrity.”
    — Susan Collins, Republican senator, Maine · source
    1. 3 outlets Takeaways from the third Maine Senate debate between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson

      first by Boston Globe, 7h ago · also The Hill, NYT

      2 more headlines
  2. 1

    Collins distances herself from Trump on Iran, tariffs, OBBB

    Collins criticized Trump's Iran strategy, said the Trump administration started the Canada tariff dispute, and noted she did not vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill, seeking separation from the president ahead of the midterms.

    “The president did not have a good plan,…”
    — Susan Collins
  3. background

    Jackson blames Collins for Iran war, she disputes it — Jackson accused Collins of failing to use her Appropriations Committee role to stop U.S. involvement in the Iran war and blamed the conflict for rising fuel costs; Collins countered that she had voted nine times to end the conflict under the War Powers Act.

  4. background

    Collins and Jackson clash over AI data centers — Jackson warned AI data centers could raise electricity costs, strain water supplies, and get approved without oversight, tying Collins to billionaire donors and tech firms; Collins defended her integrity and pointed to legislation requiring guardrails on data-center construction.

  5. background

    Polls show tight Maine Senate race ahead of debate — Recent polling pointed to a close contest between Collins and Jackson just weeks before Election Day, reinforcing Maine's status as a race that could decide Senate control.

  6. background

    Bernie Sanders campaigns for Jackson in Maine — Senator Bernie Sanders, who had backed the now-withdrawn Platner, was persuaded to campaign for Jackson in Maine the weekend before the third debate.

  7. background

    Collins and Jackson hold first two debates — The first debate was described as chaotic and the second as a mudfight mixed with substantive exchanges, setting up a third meeting two weeks later.

  8. background

    Graham Platner exits Senate race, Jackson becomes nominee — Oyster farmer Graham Platner, the expected Democratic nominee, dropped out after sexual assault allegations; Troy Jackson, who had been running for governor, became the Democratic Senate nominee instead of Governor Janet Mills.