Collins Accuses Schumer of ‘Outright Lies’ in Maine Senate Ads

Sen. Susan Collins says Democratic attack ads in her reelection race contain “outright lies” and follow a coordinated national strategy she attributes to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Her remarks came Sunday on Fox News, two days before Election Day in a Maine contest that a Fox News poll shows tied at 49% between Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson.

What happened

Collins said one ad against her centered on Jeffrey Epstein and that two Republican colleagues in competitive races told her they faced nearly identical spots. She called this “Chuck Schumer’s playbook” and said she has never seen a campaign with so many falsehoods.

She also argued that her opponent and Schumer’s allies are trying to “nationalize” the race, pulling attention from local issues toward divisive national fights. Collins described herself as the “most independent senator on either side of the aisle” and disputed a figure that she voted with President Donald Trump 95% of the time, saying that number comes from a sample of only 30% of votes and falls to about 72% across a broader 90% sample. She said she has voted against the president’s policies 138 times.

On her own campaign, Collins said she is running partly because moderate colleagues have retired or chosen not to seek reelection, and she argued the Senate needs more members willing to work across party lines. Jackson has previously told Fox News he believes he has a “good shot” at winning.

Why it matters

The race is effectively even in the only public polling number cited here, which suggests either candidate could win. Collins is framing the contest as a choice between local representation and national messaging, a pitch aimed at Maine voters who value her independent image. Her specific rebuttal of the 95% Trump-voting figure indicates that charge is a central line of attack she feels she must answer directly.

Her claim that similar ads ran against other Republicans, if accurate, points to a coordinated messaging effort by Democratic groups. The source does not name the colleagues, the ads, or provide evidence beyond Collins’s account.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• If you are a Maine voter, the race is close enough that turnout could decide it, based on the one poll cited.
• Ads you see in the final days may repeat claims Collins disputes. Her campaign has offered its own numbers on the Trump-voting charge; voters can weigh both against her full record.
• Expect both sides to frame the race nationally. Collins says that is a deliberate tactic; the source does not include a response from Jackson or Schumer.

Frequently asked questions

Who is running against Susan Collins?

Democrat Troy Jackson, according to the source. The Fox News poll shows the two tied at 49%.

What did Collins say about the ads?

She said one ad involved Jeffrey Epstein and that similar ads ran against two Republican colleagues, which she called part of “Chuck Schumer’s playbook.” She described the campaign as full of “outright lies.”

Did Collins vote with Trump 95% of the time?

Collins disputes that figure. She says it is based on only 30% of votes, that a broader 90% sample puts it near 72%, and that she voted against Trump policies 138 times. The source does not independently verify these numbers.

What to watch next

Election Day is two days away. The source does not include a response from Jackson or Schumer to Collins’s accusations, and it is not known whether the ads she described will continue or be pulled. Final turnout and results will show whether her independence message or the national framing prevails.