Jackson holds narrow lead over Collins in new Maine Senate poll as top races tighten
A new poll showed Collins trailing Jackson narrowly, while describing the contest as statistically tied.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe article attributes polling results to a named university survey center and identifies its author.
- Source type — Local broadcaster with an established news operation.
- Author attribution — A reporter is named.
- Transparency — The pollster, sample size and field dates are identified.
The article gives specific poll findings and identifies the pollster, sample size and field dates. It includes a campaign adviser’s criticism of the poll, but the campaign’s alternative results are not released and the article provides limited detail on the survey’s methodology.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article reports poll findings across several races and includes a LePage campaign adviser’s challenge to one result. That challenge is not accompanied by released alternative data or a response from the pollster, and the article gives limited methodological context.
- Source diversity — Poll results are attributed to the survey center, with a campaign adviser’s objection included for one race.
- Counterarguments presented — The adviser’s critique is reported, but the campaign’s internal results are not made public and no pollster response is included.
- Omitted context — The article provides sample size and field dates but little detail on methodology beyond the weighting dispute.
The article presents the poll results in neutral terms and includes a campaign adviser’s criticism without adopting it as fact. It does not use noticeably partisan framing.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral descriptions of poll results and ratings.
- Source selection — Includes a campaign adviser’s criticism of one poll result.
- Framing — Frames the contests as close based on the poll and its stated margin of error.
A University of New Hampshire poll found Troy Jackson narrowly ahead of Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race, though pollsters called it statistically tied. It also found several other Maine races competitive and recorded voters’ views on Gov. Janet Mills, trade and state affordability payments.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center’s poll found Jackson leading Collins 51% to 47% among likely voters, but described the contest as statistically tied given the margin of error. The result changed little from July. Jackson and Collins also received unfavorable ratings from more likely voters than favorable ratings.
The poll found the 2nd Congressional District race between Matt Dunlap and Paul LePage statistically tied, while Chellie Pingree led Ronald Russell in the 1st District. A LePage campaign adviser challenged the 2nd District poll’s weighting, saying it overstated support for Kamala Harris voters and understated support for Donald Trump voters; he cited internal campaign polling but did not release it.
The survey also reported results for the gubernatorial contest, Gov. Janet Mills’ job approval, views on U.S.-Canada trade issues, and Maine’s affordability payment program. The Survey Center said it surveyed 1,365 Maine residents online from Sept. 17 through Sept. 21.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
No good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Collins in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Collins’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Republican U.S. senator and candidate in Maine’s Senate race
Republican candidate in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race and former governor
President of the United States, mentioned in poll results and a campaign adviser’s critique
Republican candidate in Maine’s 1st Congressional District race
Democratic nominee in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race
Former presidential candidate mentioned in a campaign adviser’s critique of poll weighting
Democratic U.S. representative and candidate in Maine’s 1st Congressional District race
Governor of Maine
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