Democratic nominee Troy Jackson and Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins met for the second time on the debate stage on Oct. 8, 2026. During the second U.S. Senate debate, Jackson continued his criticism of Collins for not doing enough to oppose President Donald Trump’s power, while the incumbent touted her behind-the-scenes efforts to alleviate harm caused by the administration. That was most acute during the WMTW debate amid discussion of energy costs, specifically soaring heating oil prices, an issue of grave concern to many Mainers as winter approaches.
Speaking over each other until the last breath, the candidates continued their sparring from the first debate over corruption and blaming one another for Mainers’ struggles. The second debate also highlighted their disagreement over term limits – both for U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court – and agreement on changes to make Social Security solvent.
Heating oil prices have hit record highs in Maine. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps certain homeowners and renters with energy costs, but many working families do not qualify and still struggle to pay their bills. Both candidates said they would support an expansion of LIHEAP. Collins also suggested expanding the weatherization program, which provides free home energy improvements to eligible low-income homeowners. The senator also said the country needs to become energy independent, which Jackson later echoed. However, he brought the issue back to the Iran War as the main culprit.
“What she doesn’t want to talk about is this is a crisis that was started by her and Donald Trump,” Jackson said. Jackson said Collins voted five times against ending the war with Iran. Collins said she voted nine times to end the war. Both are correct. Collins initially opposed early war powers resolutions, saying the War Powers Act gives deference for the president to wage wars for 60 days. She then began to support ending the war after the conflict hit 60 days. At one point, Jackson alleged that Collins and her husband were profiting off of the Iran War. “That is absolutely outrageous,” Collins said, “and you owe me an apology.”
According to Collins’ 2025 financial disclosure, her husband owns stock in two defense contractors for the U.S. military, Boeing and RTX. Her spokesperson previously told Maine Morning Star that her husband’s investments are managed by a third-party adviser and that no individual stocks have been bought or sold from his account in more than three years. Meanwhile, the senator touted her current behind-the-scenes efforts to address energy costs, saying she expects her conversations with Trump administration officials will result in getting LIHEAP funding released early, as soon as next week, and releasing all of the oil in the Northeast Home Heating Reserve, which is intended for a crisis.
“It’s great that she might be able to get some fuel released. That’s awesome,” Jackson said. “But look, the 100 million gallons that she’s talking about, the average in the United States is anywhere from 20.5 to 23.6 million barrels a day.” (Actual consumer demand sits at the lower end of that spectrum.) As the moderator turned to Jackson’s record as former president of the Maine Senate, he was asked about his 2019 vote to expand Maine’s Net Energy Billing program, which was designed to encourage renewable energy projects by offering customers credits to offset their power bills.
“It did cost more than it should have,” Jackson said, “but we reformed it twice.” Jackson also pointed to the volatility of natural gas prices as a significant cost driver.
Both candidates were asked if they support term limits in Congress. Jackson said yes. Collins said no.
