The upcoming Senate race in Maine is capturing national attention as incumbent Republican Susan Collins faces off against Democrat Troy Jackson. This critical battle may ultimately hinge on a significant voter demographic: women in Maine.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: The Senate race in Maine is set to be fiercely contested in the upcoming midterms. The competition involves Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, and Troy Jackson, her Democratic challenger. Both candidates are vying for the crucial support of women voters in Maine, as reported by NPR’s Elena Moore.
ELENA MOORE, BYLINE: Belmont, Maine, is home to an 89-acre flower farm where Stacy Leafsong works tirelessly on floral arrangements. Her farm, which she built from the ground up as a single mother, is a testament to her commitment and activism. Leafsong, a progressive activist, previously hosted a fundraiser for Graham Platner’s Senate campaign, only to see him withdraw amid controversy.
STACY LEAFSONG: I do flowers seven days a week, literally live and breathe flowers.
Leafsong distanced herself from Platner following allegations of misconduct, citing her personal experiences as a domestic violence survivor. She is now supporting Troy Jackson, hoping he can address the multifaceted issues concerning Maine women.
LEAFSONG: Women’s issues are much more than childcare and abortion. There are so many complex issues in the state.
The path to Jackson’s potential victory over Collins is costly, with Republican campaigns spending heavily on ads linking him to Platner’s past controversies.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Disturbing news about threats of violence against women. Is it Graham Platner again? No, it’s Troy Jackson.
Although Jackson is not accused of violence, reports of his temper during legislative sessions have surfaced, which he has since addressed with apologies. The impact of such ads depends largely on the composition of Maine’s electorate.
EMILY CAIN: Women voters in Maine are the majority of voters. And so you have to take them seriously.
Emily Cain, a Democrat and former state senator, emphasizes the importance of women voters, who are predominantly older and independent, in deciding the outcome of statewide contests.
Collins, who has successfully navigated challenging elections, now faces the electoral landscape post-Roe v. Wade. Her pivotal vote for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, which contributed to the Supreme Court’s conservative shift, is a point of contention.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
SUSAN COLLINS: Obviously, I’m disappointed in that decision, which turned abortion issues back to the states. It has not had an impact on the state of Maine.
Jackson plans to highlight this issue, having evolved from an abortion rights opponent to a supporter in recent years. He claims a stronger stance on the matter than Collins.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED NPR CONTENT)
TROY JACKSON: I’m rock solid on this now, and Susan has been the opposite.
Cost of living remains a top concern for Maine voters, as Republican state House candidate Diana Kushnar notes.
DIANA KUSHNAR: They’re worried about whether they can afford a home and – because the rising utility bills, the cost of raising a family, and then just access to healthcare and whether their children will have even a reason to stay in Maine.
Kelli Brennan, a nurse and union leader, echoes the sentiment for change and leadership that understands the working class.
KELLI BRENNAN: I think, for women in Maine, what we need right now is somebody who understands the working class.
The working class, including nurses, teachers, and single mothers like Brennan, may be the key demographic in this pivotal election. Elena Moore, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary. Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org may be edited after its original broadcast or publication. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
