Senator Susan Collins and challenger Troy Jackson sparred on Tuesday during their third debate in Bangor. They disagreed over the war in Iran and President Trump. Jackson said, "I believe you have to be responsible for what you do with it." The heated race could decide control of the Senate.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, and her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, disagreed over the war in Iran and President Trump in the third of four debates in a key race.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a vulnerable Republican, and Troy Jackson, her Democratic challenger, sparred on Tuesday over health care, the war in Iran and the senator's record in a policy-heavy and sometimes tense debate.
The showdown, held at a TV studio in Bangor, was the third of four scheduled debates in a hotly contested race that could be critical to determining which party controls the Senate.
Here are five takeaways from the hourlong debate.
Collins pointed to her clout. Jackson said she used it to enable Trump.
The debate closed with an exchange that distilled one of the overarching disputes in the race.
Throughout the debate, Ms. Collins, who is chair of the influential Appropriations Committee, highlighted areas where she said she had used her power to deliver for Maine, securing benefits for Mainers even in legislation she ultimately opposed.
Mr. Jackson argued in his closing remarks that she had instead used her power to enable President Trump.
"Tonight I believe you heard two very different ideas of what a senator owes the people of Maine," Mr. Jackson said. "Senator Collins wants credit for her power. I believe you have to be responsible for what you do with it."
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