You might think that, in a state where 13.5% of homes use wood as their primary heating source and roughly 50% of households use firewood for some or all of their heating needs, Susan Collins would exhibit some understanding of the state's current cost-of-living crisis and show a little empathy. But if you thought that, you'd be wrong.
Source: New York Times
Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a vulnerable Republican, has been airing a 30-second ad that shows a retired Maine sportscaster, Bill Green, hailing her as “one of the most decent and honest people I know.” But Democrats have been circulating the commercial today, believing voters will recoil at a line from Green dismissing their nominee, Troy Jackson, a logger.
“We’re not talking about buying a cord of wood here,” Green says. “We’re sending to someone to the U.S. Senate.”
Jackson posted the ad on his own social media account, writing that Collins was “a little out of touch” and that the election “is about a cord of wood — and about Mainers struggling to afford to heat their homes this winter.”
Reached by phone, Green said the ad was his effort “to in 25 seconds say that being a United States senator is more complex and more difficult than the kinds of things Troy Jackson’s dealt with in his lifetime.” He added that Jackson was “in over his head.”
If their closing argument for Susan Collins is to emphasize how out of touch she really is with Maine, then they've succeeded.
FINAL STRETCH: A new Susan Collins campaign ad includes this line on Troy Jackson: “I also know Troy Jackson. But we're not talking about buying a cord of wood here. We're sending someone to the US Senate, and Troy doesn't have the tools he needs to be effective.” https://t.co/tVl8cYcwbH
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 27, 2026
Troy Jackson could only shake his head in disbelief.
Senator Collins, I think you are a little out of touch. This is about a cord of wood — and about Mainers struggling to afford to heat their homes this winter.
I know what it’s like to run out of fuel. I’ve lived that struggle.
That’s the experience I’ll take to the U.S. Senate. And I’ll use it to fight for working people.
— Troy Jackson (@TroyJackson207) October 27, 2026
And even a former Collins' staffer could not believe it.
Former Susan Collins staffer & Maine Wire editor Sam Patten just eviscerated Collins over her latest ad attacking Troy Jackson.
“The race is over.” https://t.co/wNVqfXuSx8
— Andy O'Brien (@aobrien2010) October 27, 2026
