AP Photo/Ben Gray, File
A new poll by InsiderAdvantage showed the midterm Senate races in Texas, Kansas, and Maine remain very close, with the leads switching back and forth but still within the margin of error.
In each state, InsiderAdvantage pollsters questioned 1,200 likely voters and weighted the results based on age, race, gender, and political affiliation. Margin of error was +/-2.83%.
In Texas, the poll had Ken Paxton (R) slightly ahead of James Talarico (D) 49% to 48%. Talarico had been leading by single digits in a series of recent polls; the Real Clear Politics Polling Average currently has the race at Talarico +2.2 with this latest survey included.
Elon Musk reportedly funneled a stunning $158 million to a Texas super PAC backing Paxton, and The New York Times reported that the race has surpassed $500 million in ad spending, “and could become the most expensive non-presidential contest in U.S. history.”
In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins (R) fell behind Troy Jackson (D) 47% to 49%, according to the poll. Democrats are hoping to flip the seat, which Collins has held for nearly 30 years. In a contentious debate Thursday, Jackson told Collins to “shut up” after she blamed him for a protester’s interruption on data centers.
According to the Maine Morning Star, Jackson raised four times as much Collins since entering the race in July, when he took over for scandal-ridden Graham Platner, but his spending has been great, with nearly $20.4 million whittled down to just under $4 million cash coming into the midterms.
Over the past three months, the Collins campaign spent nearly $10.9 million, leaving her with just under $5.4 million, according to the report.
And in Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall (R) pulled one point ahead of Adam Hamilton, 48% to 47%, the poll said.
NPR reported, “Both parties have redirected tens of millions of dollars in recent weeks to try and shape the surprising toss-up race. The president announced Tuesday he would campaign in Wichita next week for Marshall and other Republicans on the ticket.” Whether Trump will be able to influence voters one way or another in that race remains to be seen.
Sarah Rumpf contributed to this report.
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