Politics · October 29, 2026
Kansas, Maine Senate races neck-and-neck: CNN poll
Part of: Maine Senate: Collins vs. Jackson →FreeGet stories like this compared, every morning at 7.
Recent polling from CNN/SSRS indicates highly competitive U.S. Senate races in Maine and Kansas just days before the midterm elections. In Maine, incumbent Republican Susan Collins is facing a challenge from Democrat Troy Jackson, while the Kansas race also shows narrow margins. Analysts are focusing on voter demographics, particularly the high turnout rate of women in Maine, as a decisive factor in these contests. The data suggests that seats historically held by Republicans are currently under significant pressure from Democratic challengers.
Read the original coverage
- NewsNationMBFC: Right-Center
Road to the Midterms: How women will shape the Senate race in Maine
Read at NewsNation ↗ - NBC NewsMBFC: Left-Center
Steve Kornacki breaks down Maine Senate race
Read at NBC News ↗ - The HillMBFC: Least Biased
Kansas, Maine Senate races neck-and-neck: CNN poll
Read at The Hill ↗ - Raw StoryMBFC: Left
‘They’re nuts!’ CNN data guru flags ‘bonkers’ polling that threatens ruby-red Senate seats
Read at Raw Story ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- A CNN/SSRS poll released on a Thursday shows narrow Democratic leads in the Kansas and Maine Senate races.
- The election is only a few days away.
- Republican Susan Collins is the incumbent in the Maine Senate race.
- Troy Jackson is the Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine.
Reported by only some outlets
- Voter turnout in Maine is historically high, with women outpacing men at the polls by a 6 to 10 ratio according to NewsNation.
- Raw Story mentions a Senate race in Texas involving Ken Paxton.
- Harry Enten is CNN's chief data analyst.
- CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins interviewed Harry Enten regarding the polling data.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
characterize the polling as 'bonkers' and 'nuts' while suggesting Republicans are 'sweating' over seats they previously 'took for granted'
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
highlight the historical reliability of high voter turnout in Maine and the specific role women play in shaping election outcomes
Centrist outlets tend to focus on…
present the races as 'neck-and-neck' and focus on the statistical leads and demographic influences like female voter turnout
Where coverage diverges
Coverage diverges along left/right lines — see Framing tab for specifics.
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