Election 2026

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Issue record

Abortion

In short

Collins's campaign site states no position on abortion; in the Senate she introduced bills in 2022 and 2023 aimed at writing Roe v. Wade's protections into law. Jackson's campaign backs a federal right to abortion. Collins's bills got no committee or floor vote. Jackson voted for Maine's 2023 law removing criminal penalties for abortion, as first-named cosponsor, and for a 2019 law requiring MaineCare to cover abortion; he is the sponsor of record of neither.

Campaign positions

What each campaign says.

Susan M. Collins

Her campaign site states no position on abortion; its pages and 213 posts were searched. In the Senate, in 2022, she introduced the Reproductive Choice Act with Lisa Murkowski, saying it would codify the protections of Roe v. Wade and Casey. In 2023 she was one of four senators who introduced the Reproductive Freedom for All Act, with the same aim.

Troy D. Jackson

His campaign's priorities include passing a federal right to abortion. He says that in the Maine Senate he helped pass some of the strongest protections for abortion access in the country.

Evidence timeline

What the record shows.

  1. official action

    Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

    He was first-named cosponsor and backed the 2023 repeal of abortion criminal penalties; the Speaker sponsored it. A strongest-in-the-country comparison is not established.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    In an op-ed his campaign republished, he says that as Senate President he sponsored one of the strongest abortion protection laws in the country, which removed criminal penalties and left care to doctors' medical judgment. The law is LD 1619, An Act to Improve Maine's Reproductive Privacy Laws, a Governor's bill presented by Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, who is its sponsor of record. He was its first-named cosponsor. He voted Yea when the Senate enacted it 20 to 11 on July 6, 2023 (Roll Call 483), and it became Public Law 2023, chapter 416 on July 19. The law repealed both criminal provisions in the abortion statute, the Class C crime for an unlicensed person performing an abortion and the section on criminal liability after viability, and allows an abortion after viability when a licensed physician judges it necessary. Limit: The Legislature lists the Speaker as the sponsor and Jackson as a cosponsor. Whether it is one of the strongest such laws in the country is a comparison no official record makes.

  2. official action

    Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

    She was an original cosponsor of Kaine's 2022 and 2023 bills to enact Roe's main holdings and sponsored her own in 2022; none got a committee or floor vote.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    In the October 8 debate she said she would vote for a bill creating federal protections for abortion access, that she wrote such a bill with Senator Tim Kaine to codify Roe v. Wade nationwide, and that it never reached the Senate floor. In August 2022 and again in February 2023, Kaine introduced the Reproductive Freedom for All Act with Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Kyrsten Sinema as its original cosponsors; he told the Senate it would enact the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade. In February 2022 she had sponsored her own bill with the same aim, the Reproductive Choice Act. All three bills went to the Judiciary Committee and got no vote. In 2022 she twice voted against taking up the Women's Health Protection Act, which she said went far beyond codifying Roe. Limit: Congress lists Kaine as the sponsor and her as one of three original cosponsors; who drafted the text is not on the record. The record does not say why the bills never got a vote.

  3. official action

    Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

    He voted for the 2019 law, passed 19 to 16 in the Senate, that requires MaineCare to cover abortion; he did not sponsor it.

    Read the full check

    Full detail

    In the October 8 debate he said he made sure low-income women had access to reproductive rights through MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program. As Senate President in 2019 he voted Yea when the Senate accepted the committee's report on LD 820, 19 to 16, on May 14, and again when it enacted the bill, 19 to 16, on June 12. It became Public Law 2019, chapter 274, signed June 13, 2019. The law requires MaineCare to cover abortion, paid with state money where federal Medicaid money does not apply, and requires private health plans that cover maternity care to cover abortion. Limit: His part on the record is his vote, one of the 19 it passed with. Representative Joyce McCreight sponsored it, and he is not among its cosponsors.

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Sources23 source records

How we use sources

  1. Susan Collins for Maine, home pagehttps://susancollins.com/

    Collins for Senator · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source; "Paid for by Collins for Senator". The committee's FEC record gives this site. Its roll-call figure, more than 9,800, is older than the 10,000 her FAQ and About pages give. The site's 17 pages and 213 posts (February 2025 to September 2026) were read through its public WordPress interface; most posts are reposted news and letters, which are not her statements.

    candidate statement

    For: Susan M. Collins: campaign position

  2. S. 3713, Reproductive Choice Act, 117th Congresshttps://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3713

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Introduced February 28, 2022 by Collins, with Lisa Murkowski as the only cosponsor; referred to the Judiciary Committee and not acted on. Its title: to codify the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. That August she was also an original cosponsor of Tim Kaine's S. 4688, the first Reproductive Freedom for All Act.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: campaign position; Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  3. Introducing the Reproductive Choice Act, Congressional Record, February 28, 2022https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2022-02-28/html/CREC-2022-02-28-pt1-PgS838-4.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Feb 28, 2022 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Her floor statement introducing S. 3713. She says it would codify the protections of Roe v. Wade and Casey, and that the Women's Health Protection Act then before the Senate went further than that.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: campaign position; Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  4. S. 317, Reproductive Freedom for All Act, 118th Congresshttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/317

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Introduced February 9, 2023 by Tim Kaine for himself, Lisa Murkowski, Kyrsten Sinema and Collins; referred to the Judiciary Committee and not acted on.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: campaign position; Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  5. Troy's priorities in the Senatehttps://www.jacksonformaine.com/priorities

    Troy Jackson for Maine · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source: eleven priorities, listed without detail.

    candidate statement

    For: Troy D. Jackson: campaign position

  6. At Women for Troy Launch, Reproductive Freedom For All Backs Troy Jackson For U.S. Senatehttps://www.jacksonformaine.com/news/at-women-for-troy-launch-reproductive-freedom-for-all-backs-troy-jackson-for-us-senate

    Troy Jackson for Maine · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign release quoting him, dated August 27, 2026 on the site.

    candidate statement

    For: Troy D. Jackson: campaign position; Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  7. Troy Jackson Garners Attention Nationwide Campaigning To Bring A Working Class Voice To U.S. Senatehttps://www.jacksonformaine.com/news/troy-jackson-garners-attention-nationwide-campaigning-to-bring-a-working-class-voice-to-us-senate

    Troy Jackson for Maine · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign release that reprints highlights of his op-ed "What Listening to Women Taught Me About Reproductive Freedom", in the first person. The release's date on the site is September 4, 2026; the op-ed's own date was not read.

    candidate statement

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  8. LD 1619 (131st Legislature), sponsors and cosponsorshttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280088641

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Sponsored by Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross; President Troy Jackson of Aroostook among the cosponsors. The bill as printed (a PDF, sha256 a45434c3...72e86) reads "Presented by Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland. (GOVERNOR'S BILL) Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and" the rest, so he is the first-named cosponsor.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  9. LD 1619, An Act to Improve Maine's Reproductive Privacy Laws, summaryhttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?paper=HP1044&SessionID=15

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    A Governor's bill; enacted, signed July 19, 2023, Public Law 2023, chapter 416.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  10. Maine Senate Roll Call 483, LD 1619, enactmenthttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/rollcall.asp?ID=280088641&chamber=S&serialnumber=483

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    July 6, 2023. Prevailed 20 to 11, four excused; Jackson of Aroostook recorded Y.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  11. 22 M.R.S. section 1598, Abortionshttps://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec1598.html

    Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Maine Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The statute as amended. Its history credits chapter 416 with repealing subsection 3, paragraph B (the Class C crime for an unlicensed person performing an abortion) and subsection 4 (criminal liability after viability), and with the physician's-judgment standard after viability.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  12. About Troy Jacksonhttps://www.jacksonformaine.com/about

    Troy Jackson for Maine · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source and his fullest statement of his legislative record. It says he "championed and passed some of the strongest reproductive health protections anywhere in the country".

    candidate statement

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated record claim

  13. WMTW debate, October 8: Collins on a bill to codify Roe v. Wade (44:36)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHWVvlZCRXA&t=2676s

    WMTW-TV · Published Oct 8, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    44:36-45:17. Described from the host's YouTube captions; no second transcript was found, so the words are not quoted.

    candidate statement

    For: Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  14. S. 4688, Reproductive Freedom for All Act, 117th Congresshttps://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4688

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Introduced August 1, 2022 by Tim Kaine for himself, Lisa Murkowski, Kyrsten Sinema and Collins; referred to the Judiciary Committee and not acted on.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  15. Introductory statement on S. 4688, Congressional Record, August 1, 2022https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2022-08-01/html/CREC-2022-08-01-pt1-PgS3806-2.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Aug 1, 2022 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Kaine says he, Murkowski, Sinema and Collins are introducing the bill to enact the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade and other cases.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  16. Senate roll call votes 65 and 170, 117th Congress, 2nd sessionhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_117_2.htm

    U.S. Senate · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Cloture votes on taking up the Women's Health Protection Act: vote 65, February 28, 2022 (H.R. 3755), failed 46 to 48; vote 170, May 11, 2022 (S. 4132), failed 49 to 51. Collins Nay on both.

    official legislative record

    For: Susan M. Collins: Matches stated record claim

  17. WMTW debate, October 8: Jackson on MaineCare and reproductive rights (43:22)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHWVvlZCRXA&t=2602s

    WMTW-TV · Published Oct 8, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    43:22-43:43. Described from the host's YouTube captions; no second transcript was found, so the words are not quoted.

    candidate statement

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  18. Maine Senate Roll Call 95, LD 820, accept the majority ought-to-pass-as-amended reporthttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/rollcall.asp?ID=280071849&chamber=Senate&serialnumber=95

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    May 14, 2019. Prevailed 19 to 16; Jackson of Aroostook (D) recorded Y.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  19. Maine Senate Roll Call 294, LD 820, enactmenthttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/rollcall.asp?ID=280071849&chamber=Senate&serialnumber=294

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    June 12, 2019. Prevailed 19 to 16; Jackson of Aroostook (D) recorded Y.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  20. LD 820, An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine, summaryhttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?LD=820&SessionID=13

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Signed June 13, 2019, Public Law 2019, chapter 274.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  21. LD 820 (129th Legislature), sponsors and cosponsorshttps://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280071849

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Sponsored by Representative Joyce McCreight of Harpswell. Troy Jackson is not among the cosponsors.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  22. Public Law 2019, chapter 274 (LD 820), as chaptered (document)

    Maine Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Approved June 13, 2019. Requires MaineCare to cover abortion services, with state funds where federal Medicaid funds do not apply, and requires health plans that cover maternity care to cover abortion.

    official legislative record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction

  23. Presidents of the Maine Senate, 1820 -https://legislature.maine.gov/lawlibrary/presidents-of-the-maine-senate-1820/9255/

    Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's law library lists Troy Dale Jackson of Allagash, Democrat, as President for 2019-2024, followed by Matthea Daughtry from 2025. Its Legislature column for his row reads 128th - 131st, which does not match those years (the 129th Legislature began in December 2018); the years are what this desk relies on. The Legislature's bill summary pages show a legislator's latest title, not the title when a bill was filed, so they cannot date his presidency.

    official office record

    For: Troy D. Jackson: Matches stated direction