University of Maine

Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson clashed over corruption allegations during a combative debate in Maine's closely watched Senate race, which could help decide control of the chamber next year.

The exchange followed a ProPublica report that the FBI had moved toward investigating bribery claims against Collins before President Trump's agency shakeup sidelined the inquiry. The report alleged that Navatek CEO Martin Kao funneled $150,000 to a pro-Collins Super PAC through a shell company ahead of her 2020 reelection, expecting federal contracts in return. Collins called the claims "absolutely false," noted they were reviewed and dismissed by the Justice Department, FBI, and Federal Election Commission, and labeled Kao, now imprisoned for COVID-19 relief fraud, a "crook."

Jackson pointed to the timing of the investigation's collapse after Trump's election and Collins' frequent alignment with Trump's agenda. Collins countered by citing a bill Jackson backed that benefited his son's lobbying firm and reports that a PAC he led accepted corporate donations despite his no-corporate-money pledge. Jackson said he was unaware of the contributions and had ended the practice.