In Maine Senate debate, Collins and Jackson both criticize Trump — but spar over how

Reported by CBS News. The paragraphs below are the opening of that article, reproduced word for word — not a summary, and not the whole piece.

In an often-testy Tuesday night debate, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine touted her three-decade-long record in Congress and took aim at some Trump policies — while Democrat Troy Jackson argued Collins has failed to push back against the Trump administration.

The Maine Senate race is one of November's most closely watched contests , and could prove crucial to determining which party controls the upper chamber next year. While the state leans left, and hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate statewide since the 1980s, Collins' history of surviving tough reelection challenges has vexed Democrats for more than a decade. Most polls show a razor-thin race.

Collins highlighted her "knowledge, experience, seniority and relationships," including her ability to score funding for projects in Maine as chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee.

"I've been able to bring home federal dollars to help ease the burden on our taxpayers," said Collins, who is running for a sixth term in the Senate.

Collins also has a history of breaking with President Trump, criticizing his trade war with Canada and strategy in Iran , and voting against the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year — themes that frequently emerged in Tuesday's debate.

Asked about Mr. Trump's suggestion that he may travel to Maine as part of a pre-election campaign swing, Collins said she doesn't expect the president to visit.