Maine Public · Steve Mistler · September 3, 2026
Welcome back to the Political Pulse. We’ve missed you!
Beginning this week the Pulse will be airing weekly segments about the upcoming midterm election and focusing on new developments, emerging themes and analysis.
This week, we focus on the Maine U.S. Senate race. Of course. The contest has dominated the political scene for more than a year.
In particular, we discuss how Democratic candidate Troy Jackson is trying to channel the populist movement of the man he replaced on the ballot, Graham Platner. Host Ari Snider and chief political correspondent Steve Mistler dive into Jackson’s first town hall — a Platner staple that helped propel him to the nomination in June. He took the stage in Lewiston before a big crowd, but the energy was ... different.
The Pulse then pivots to Jackson’s opponent, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is using the same playbook that carried her to reelection in 2020. (Hint: It’s all local.)
But Collins also did something unorthodox, at least for her. During an hourlong interview with Politico’s Jonathan Martin, she played pundit to discuss Jackson’s vulnerabilities as a candidate. It was in that moment that the five-term incumbent channeled her inner Marcus Cicero, using one of the Roman philosopher’s favorite rhetorical devices: praeteritio . It’s when someone brings up a touchy subject by saying they won’t.
That’s the extent of our Latin, but for more examples see President Donald Trump, who is also fond of the device .
Also, while not included in the Pulse, check out Collins’ response when Martin asked her about fighting Trump on principle (e.g. Liz Cheney) or working with him (e.g. Lindsey Graham).
And finally, the Pulse takes a look at how Trump’s trade war with Canada is complicating Collins’ reelection bid. Full coverage of that story is here in partnership with NPR.
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