U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is facing criticism from political opponents and reproductive rights organizations over her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The challenge comes as Collins seeks a sixth term in the 2026 election, the first since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision overturned the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, a former state lawmaker and logger, has argued that Collins' support for Trump-appointed judges led to the loss of federal abortion protections.
The Kavanaugh confirmation in 2018 was decided by a 50-48 Senate vote after hearings involving allegations of past sexual abuse. At the time, Collins stated she believed Kavanaugh viewed Roe v. Wade as "settled law." Since the ruling was overturned, Collins has expressed criticism of the court's decision but told reporters in June 2026 that she does not regret her vote. Her campaign maintains her record as a "pro-choice" Republican remains consistent, noting she also voted for Democratic-nominated Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Democratic groups have launched multi-million dollar advertising campaigns focused on the judicial appointments. Win Senate, a political action committee, has spent $32 million on ads, while the advocacy group Affordable Maine has spent nearly $10 million. Reproductive Freedom for All initiated a $250,000 direct-mail campaign targeting female voters. These groups argue that Collins' vote for Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch facilitated the end of federal abortion rights. Jackson, who has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All, has faced his own criticism regarding his past opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, which he says has since evolved.
For Maine residents, the legal status of abortion has remained stable due to state-level actions. Following the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, the state legislature passed a 2023 law allowing abortions at any time if a doctor deems it medically necessary. Governor Janet Mills also enacted shield laws to protect providers from out-of-state legal actions. Therefore, while the federal landscape has shifted, a person in Maine would not currently notice a change in their local access to health care services or legal rights regardless of the federal judicial makeup, though future federal legislation could alter this status.
The race serves as a test of whether a Republican senator's past judicial votes can serve as a successful campaign weapon in a pro-choice state after those judges vote to overturn precedent. A victory for Collins would suggest that moderate branding and a history of constituent service can outweigh opposition to judicial confirmations. A victory for Jackson would demonstrate that the local impact of the Supreme Court's decisions can reshape long-standing voting patterns. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The candidates will continue campaigning through the fall as voters weigh the candidates' records and historical votes.