Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson late Tuesday, ending a Senate career of 30 years. Jackson's win is the seventh Republican-held seat Democrats have taken this election, on a night they had already secured a Senate majority.
The Senate's party division going into the election was 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and 2 independents who vote with Democrats. Seven pickups, including Josh Turek's win in Iowa, put the Democratic side at 54 seats in January if Democrats also hold their open seats in Michigan and Minnesota. Even losing both of those would leave them at 52.
Collins concedes after 30 years
Collins, a five-term incumbent, conceded in a statement shortly before 12:30 a.m. Eastern time. "It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Maine in the United States Senate," she said, adding that she had called Jackson to congratulate him and that her staff would work for a smooth transition.
The race was the most expensive in Maine's history. The candidates raised tens of millions of dollars, and outside groups spent hundreds of millions more.
Who Troy Jackson is
Jackson is a former logger from Allagash, in far northern Maine, and a former president of the Maine Senate. He came into the race late. Democrats nominated him in late July, after their original nominee, Graham Platner, dropped out earlier that month.
He will join independent Sen. Angus King in Maine's delegation when the new Congress convenes in January. Collins keeps her seat until then.
