Republican Rep. Mike Collins attacked Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff over campaign donations from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who has acknowledged meeting Jeffrey Epstein, while Ossoff countered accusing Collins of voting against releasing Epstein-related records, and helping to "cover up" evidence.
(CNN) —One Republican tried to put distance between herself and President Donald Trump on trade and the Iran war. Another focused her criticism on Trump’s diesel deal with Russia. And a third tried to turn one of the GOP’s biggest political liabilities against their Democratic rival.
Tuesday’s Senate debates in Maine, Georgia and Iowa offered a revealing look at how Republicans are navigating a difficult political environment in the closing weeks before the midterm elections, with control of the narrowly divided Senate at stake.
In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins emphasized her independence from Trump as she sparred with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson over the Iran war, healthcare cuts and a trade war with Canada. Down the East Coast in Georgia, Republican Rep. Mike Collins went on the offensive as he tried to turn the tables by attacking Sen. Jon Ossoff over his ties to a donor named in the Jeffrey Epstein files — an issue that has largely put Republicans on the defensive.
In another closely watched contest in Iowa, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek made their case to voters Tuesday night for the state’s open Senate contest, squabbling over Trump’s foreign policy and which of the two candidates actually showed up for work.
The heated exchanges underscore the different challenges facing Republicans as they try to hold onto their Senate majority. Democrats, meanwhile, need a net gain of four seats to flip the Senate.
Here’s a look at key moments from the debates.
In Maine, Susan Collins sought to emphasize her independence, as the five-term incumbent seeks reelection in an environment increasingly difficult for Republicans amidst the president’s plummeting popularity.
After kicking off with her criticism of his approach to the war in Iran, Collins during later exchanges pointed to her vote against Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and her opposition to the tariffs on Canada. Her debate performance was the latest example of how vulnerable Republicans aredefying Trumpahead of the midterms.
