Susan Collins accused of punching down at opponent in ‘disgusting’ midterm ad

National PoliticsTroy Jackson, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, responds to audience member's question at a "Students vs, Billionaires" campaign stop with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)AP Photo/Robert F. BukatyBy Howard Koplowitz | hkoplowitz@al.comMaine Sen. Susan Collins is being called “condescending” and “elitist” over a new midterm campaign ad suggesting Troy Jackson isn’t worthy of her U.S. Senate seat because of his job.The ad featuring Maine broadcasting legend Bill Green takes a dig at Jackson, the former Maine Senate president, for being a logger.“When did Maine politics go into the gutter. It’s shameful, really. Susan Collins is one of the most decent and honest people I know,” Green says in the ad.“Now, I also know Troy Jackson. But we’re not talking about buying a cord of wood here,” Green continues. “We’re sending someone to the US Senate, and Troy doesn’t have the tools he needs to be effective.”Green, whose endorsement of Collins in 2020 is credited with helping the longtime Maine senator hold on to her seat, is also backing Collins in her toughest reelection battle.“Both sides know that in times of trouble, they can turn to Susan because she delivers for Maine. We need Susan — America’s most independent senator — working for all of us,” Green says in the new midterm ad.Political observers trashed the ad, accusing the spot of dripping with condescension.“Absolutely disgusting classism from Susan Collins’ campaign. As Bill Green well knows, @TroyJackson207 was President of the Maine Senate, but that’s beside the point - our Senator should be representing working people, not looking down on them,” said Maine political consultant Luke Martin.“This is so classist and gross,” said author and political commentator Molly Jong-Fast.“BTW I believe this condescending idiot @billgreensmaine is a former newscaster and sportscaster and let me assure you, if you want to find somebody who’s unqualified to be in office it’s a former newscaster and sportscaster,” added ex-MS NOW and former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann.“Whew this is some elitist stuff,” added Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie, “honestly surprised it made its way to a closing spot (I get that the guy is a well-known ME TV personality but yikes.)”The race between Collins and Jackson is one of several pivotal elections across the country that will determine which party controls the Senate.According to data compiled by polling guru Nate Silver, Jackson leads Collins by 2.4 percentage points — 49.2% to 46.8%. Howard Koplowitz is AL.com's Breaking & Trending Reporter for afternoons and nights. He has been with AL.com since 2015 and has served in a variety of roles, ranging from coverage of Donald Trump's first...