Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, drew attention on Monday after she responded to a question about whether her Democratic opponent’s personal life would be fair game in the campaign by stating, 'I'm not going to bring up the fact that the mother of his two children is his second cousin.'
The exchange occurred during an interview with a Politico reporter, who asked Collins if reports about Troy Jackson’s family relationships would influence how she campaigns. Jackson, who is challenging Collins in the upcoming Senate race, has faced scrutiny over reports that he fathered two children with his second cousin. Collins’ response was widely shared on social media, with some praising her political strategy.
Jackson’s family relationship first surfaced in July, when The Maine Wire reported that Jackson and his longtime partner share the same great-grandparents. Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, replaced Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee after Platner withdrew from the race.
During the interview, Collins’ statement—followed by the reporter’s observation that she had just mentioned the topic—sparked debate over the tactic. The clip circulated rapidly online, with conservatives highlighting Collins’ approach as evidence of her political acumen. Republican operative Jesse Hunt called her a 'silent killer,' while Politico editor Mike DeBonis described the exchange as a display of Collins’ 'stone-cold' political combat style.
Some commentators suggested Collins’ remarks echoed a strategy often associated with former President Donald Trump, where a subject is raised indirectly while appearing to avoid direct mention. Others framed the exchange as a strategic deflection, allowing Collins to address the issue without explicitly endorsing or condemning Jackson’s personal life.
Jackson’s campaign has not publicly addressed the reports about his family relationships. The scrutiny comes as Maine voters prepare to weigh both candidates’ records and policy positions ahead of the midterm elections. Collins, a longtime incumbent, has emphasized her bipartisan record, while Jackson has positioned himself as a progressive challenger focused on economic and social issues in Maine.