The four debates between Democratic challenger Troy Jackson and incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins are finished, early voting is underway, and Maine’s closely fought United States Senate race remains unsettled. Jackson survived every encounter despite entering the debates with modest expectations.

Jackson’s conversational Maine style stood in sharp contrast to Collins’ polished presentation, and he had considerably less experience with prominent debates. Still, both candidates managed to deliver the central arguments driving their campaigns.

Collins followed her familiar playbook, presenting herself as a bipartisan senator uniquely equipped to secure resources for Maine. She recited legislation she had worked on and projects benefiting individual communities, echoing campaign advertising that credits her with bringing money into the state.

Jackson directly challenged both pieces of that pitch. “Sen. Collins is like an arsonist who helped set the fire and then she wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put it out,” he said during the first debate.

He also pointed to Collins’ record of supporting Trump 96% of the time, arguing that it clashes with her carefully maintained image of independence. Jackson contended that the resources Collins highlights are woefully inadequate compared with the cuts she has supported.

Collins later handed Jackson more material when a moderator asked her to identify an occasion when her vote against Republicans had changed an outcome. She cited her opposition to Pete Hegseth’s nomination as War Secretary, which failed after North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis changed his position at the last minute.

“So that didn’t change the outcome,” one of the moderators replied. It was a particularly awkward exchange for a senator whose campaign leans so heavily on the claim that her independence produces concrete results.

Jackson’s other memorable debate line arrived after Collins boasted about stopping Canadian tariffs on road salt. “We can’t eat road salt,” Jackson answered, producing memes that portrayed road salt as Meals on Wheels and Collins as Marie Antoinette.

The line carried substance beyond its spread online. Food prices have risen, heating oil prices have soared 81% since last year, and Jackson repeatedly used personal examples to discuss working people, health care and the influence of oligarchic power.

The final forum produced the exchange that attracted the most attention beyond Maine. After a protester carrying a fake press pass interrupted proceedings to criticize data centers and corporate financial power, Collins declared without evidence, “So this is obviously one of Troy’s supporters.”

“Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid,” Jackson replied. Many Mainers did not consider the response especially troubling, while callers to a radio program the next day differed over whether Jackson had been rude or had delivered an appropriately Maine flavored “shaddup.”

Journalist Kevin Miller of Maine Public Radio described the comment as “more flippant than mean-spirited.” Reporter Rob Caldwell said on a panel after the debate that candidates enduring such a negative campaign were bound to become irritated and that worse things could have been said.

The Bangor Daily News instead emphasized a more consequential contrast from the final debate. Collins said, “I think our democracy will be just fine,” while Jackson called American democracy “at risk” and said, “Donald Trump is trying every trick in the book to keep power.”

Maine’s press coverage has also shifted in ways that benefit Jackson’s argument. His criticism of Collins’ conflicting votes is receiving attention, alongside allegations of corruption involving political payments and scrutiny of wealthy dark money donors who disproportionately benefit Collins.

The candidates are closing the race with sharply different operations. Jackson is appearing at prominent events with Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, while Collins’ most prominent visiting supporter is former Sen. Joe Manchin.

Trump has stayed away, and Collins would not want him visiting. Jackson is using his events to recruit canvassers and expand his field organization, while Collins is receiving help from canvassers paid by Elon Musk.

Jackson has framed the choice around who stands with Maine residents and who stands with billionaires. His advertising includes former Collins voters who now support him, some of whom point to her vote confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Collins has defended that vote by arguing she could not have known Kavanaugh would overturn Roe v. Wade despite his record. National Republicans, meanwhile, have aired intensely personal attacks accusing Jackson of bullying women and targeting his relationship with longtime partner Lana Pelletier, the mother of his children.

The Collins campaign asked for that advertisement to be removed, though critics noted that Collins had discussed Jackson’s family during a September Politico interview. Pelletier has also spoken against the personal attack.

Maine voters appear tired of the advertising barrage, while Jackson’s grassroots organization and earned media look stronger. Yet Collins remains an incumbent with a durable political brand, making the closing days a test of whether Jackson’s momentum can overcome that advantage.