Maine’s economy is under pressure from President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and rising diesel prices due to the Iran war, making these issues central to the state’s tight Senate race between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. Polls show Jackson leading by an average of 2 percentage points, reflecting voters’ growing dissatisfaction with the economic climate. Mainers are feeling the pinch, with diesel prices up 67% statewide over the past year and lobster trap prices rising from $130 to $180 in just two years.
The tariffs have hit Maine particularly hard, as the state sends over 40% of its exports to Canada. Lobster trap manufacturer Mark Brooks described the current business climate as the worst in 40 years, with tariffs and rising costs squeezing small businesses. Both Collins and Jackson oppose the tariffs, but they disagree on who is to blame and how to address the issue. Collins has secured exemptions for some items, while Jackson argues Congress should have prevented the tariffs in the first place.
Voters are divided on whether to hold Collins accountable for Trump’s policies. Some, like lobsterman Steve Train, credit Collins for protecting the lobster industry but blame Trump for the tariffs. Others see the tariffs as a direct result of Trump’s executive actions, bypassing Congress. The race in Maine is seen as a test of whether voters will distinguish between Trump and the rest of his party.
Across the country, Republican candidates in competitive races are trying to distance themselves from Trump’s unpopular tariffs and policies. In Michigan, GOP candidate Mike Rogers has criticized the Canada tariffs, while in Iowa, Ashley Hinson opposed Trump’s decision to lower tariffs on imported ground beef. The Maine Senate race could set the tone for how voters nationwide respond to Trump’s economic agenda.