Politics

Oops: GOP group mistakenly bought ad for Maine Senate candidate in wrong Portland

By OPB staff (OPB)
Oct. 12, 2026 10:39 p.m.

The group meant to buy the ad in Portland, Maine, not Oregon.

FILE - Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, leaves the Senate chamber at the end of votes, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2026.

FILE - Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, leaves the Senate chamber at the end of votes, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2026.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

In one of the nation’s most high-profile races, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, needs to win over Portland voters.

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Just not the Portland that a GOP group recently bought an ad for. The group supporting her re-election bid accidentally bought the ad in Portland, Oregon, rather than Maine.

The ad, made by Defending Main Street SuperPAC Inc. and purchased by Cross Screen Media, criticizes Collins’ opponent, Democrat Troy Jackson. It calls him “taxin’ Troy Jackson.” It has since been taken down.

The group spent nearly $25,000 on ads in the market that spans Oregon and Washington, according to news reports. The group says the purchase will be refunded, NBC News reported.

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