Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson clashed Thursday night in their second Maine Senate debate. It aired for an hour on WMTW.

The sharpest moment came during a talk about high energy prices. Jackson said Collins could use her leverage to stop the Iran war. "But instead," he said, "Sen. Collins and her husband are making money off this war." He gave no evidence on stage, CNN reported. The Portland Press Herald said he was pointing to her husband Tom Daffron's stock holdings, which include natural gas and Boeing.

"That is absolutely outrageous and you owe me an apology," Collins said. Jackson shot back: "No, you owe me an apology."

The first question was about a ProPublica report. It said the FBI took early steps in 2024 to look into claims that donations to Collins were tied to federal contracts. Collins said the claims are false and have been proven false, the Washington Examiner reported. Jackson was asked about corporate money his old state Senate campaign group took from tobacco, gambling and drug companies. He said those checks did not buy his vote.

The two found one point of agreement. Both said people who earn more should pay more into Social Security. Jackson wants to scrap the cap on taxed wages. Collins said the cap must be adjusted and wants a panel of experts to suggest how.

On abortion, Collins called Jackson's early record "extremist." Jackson said he changed his mind after listening to women. "Mine has gotten better, hers has gotten worse," he said.

Collins is seeking a sixth term and leads the Senate Appropriations Committee. She said she has brought $1.5 billion to Maine for 672 projects in five years. Jackson has led the race narrowly in some polls, the Press Herald reported. Democrats picked him in July after Graham Platner left the race.

The two meet twice more next week.

What we know: Collins and Jackson both back raising what high earners pay into Social Security.
What we don't: Whether Jackson's charge about the Iran war rests on more than stock holdings.