Trump looms as tensions flare in final Maine Senate debate

BANGOR, Maine — The marathon of debates in the Maine Senate race has ended, but there is still one unanswered question: Just how large will President Donald Trump loom in November? That question was at the center of the clashes between Democrat Troy Jackson and longtime GOP Sen. Susan Collins as they faced off in four debates over the last two weeks, including a finale Thursday hosted by Maine Public Broadcasting Network, the Portland Press Herald and NBC affiliate WCSH of Portland. Jackson is betting voters’ views of Trump, who has never won Maine, will dominate their views of this Senate race, which could determine which party controls the chamber next year. He repeatedly tied Collins to Trump throughout all four debates. Collins, meanwhile, tried to appeal to Mainers who want a senator willing to break with his or her party.