GORHAM, Maine (AP) — Erin Evans, a voter from Portland, expressed regret for previously supporting Maine's U.S. Senator Susan Collins, citing Collins' vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court as a betrayal. Evans, who previously believed Collins would protect abortion access, is now backing Democrat Troy Jackson in the upcoming election on November 3. This election marks the first time Collins is on the ballot since the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, leading to abortion bans in many states. Jackson, a former state lawmaker and logger, is aiming to unseat Collins, who has a long history of electoral success despite Maine's shift away from Republican presidential candidates since 1988.
Both candidates are focusing on appealing to women voters, who represent a majority in Maine. Campaign ads from both Collins and Jackson prominently feature women. Democratic ads have criticized Collins for her support of Kavanaugh and her alignment with Trump, with significant financial backing from advocacy groups. Collins has maintained a pro-choice stance throughout her career, co-sponsoring legislation for federal abortion protections in 2022, and has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood in the past.
Polls indicate that while many Maine voters are unhappy about the Supreme Court's decision, abortion may not be the primary issue influencing their votes. A New York Times/Siena poll from September showed that few voters mentioned abortion as their top concern. Collins has a history of winning elections despite the changing political landscape in Maine, where 76% of voters opposed overturning Roe v. Wade in 2020.
Jackson, who has formed a coalition of women supporters and received endorsements from abortion rights organizations, is attempting to address past inconsistencies in his stance on abortion and same-sex marriage. His campaign is also navigating the fallout from his predecessor's withdrawal due to controversy. Collins' spokesperson emphasized her consistent pro-choice record, while political analysts note that Maine has not faced the same level of abortion access issues as other states.
Recent legislation in Maine has expanded abortion access, allowing procedures at any time if deemed medically necessary. A survey conducted by CNN/SSRS in late August and early September revealed that while many voters are dissatisfied with the Roe decision, economic concerns may overshadow the issue in the upcoming election.