Republican Group Mistakenly Launches Ad Campaign in Wrong State for Collins

<figure><img alt="Collins" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/BS4SQEYBENBJ5GBBYTN4XEPBAA.JPG?auth=69d3fffd70c73070e3ae7392e275217c97ad5414a4f8ba7ee0299a406fa66d34&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4320&amp;height=2430" /><figcaption>Eric Lee / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>A Republican political group aiming to support Maine Senator Susan Collins in her reelection campaign launched an ad buy in Portland, Oregon, which is over 3,000 miles away from her intended audience in Portland, Maine.</p><p>The group spent between $20,000 and $25,000 on the ad targeting viewers in the Portland, Oregon market, which also includes parts of Washington state, according to the Google Political Ad Transparency Center.</p><img alt="The Republican group bought ads in the wrong Portland. / Kylie Cooper / REUTERS" height="3733" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/B7567GERGJDLHMH7BNBS4IPUOU.JPG?auth=f3d68f917190ff2baaa5a8bd719038d30537710ee01d76369941008499d40a52&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5600&amp;height=3733" width="5600" /><p>Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, stated to NBC News that the ad was removed after the group was informed of the error. She expressed frustration with the ad buyer, Cross Screen Media, for the mistake, saying, "The buyers made a mistake on one of the placements. It’s down now, and they’re running it in Portland, Maine. It has nothing to do with us. I would never run an ad in Portland, Oregon, for Susan Collins, for Christ’s sake."</p><p>Cross Screen Media acknowledged the error, describing it as "100% our mistake," and confirmed that the money had been refunded to the political action committee (PAC).</p><img alt="The pro-Collins ad hit the wrong voters. / Amanda Sabga / REUTERS" height="2628" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/MQBJ4T3IHRG4RFY2FZGUPBIULY.JPG?auth=17903b54b32053070bb98c0c2e5fded65fdad5ca242e9b3253866b4e9062d20a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3600&amp;height=2628" width="3600" /><p>The ad targeted Collins’ opponent, Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, attempting to portray him as someone who would raise taxes, labeling him as "taxin’ Troy Jackson."</p><p>Collins, who has served in the Senate for nearly 30 years, is considered one of the more vulnerable Republican incumbents ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, where control of both chambers of Congress is at stake.</p><p>Current polling indicates that Collins and Jackson are closely matched in the race.</p><img alt="Jackson has tried to pin Collins to Trump. / CJ Gunther / REUTERS" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/H6VCISAKXNEIXGXMZK7QFLAUL4.JPG?auth=3368c70f341c246b00032f3488218551eae0f2ff6ac6ab78bfdfafb97a63ea73&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>Throughout her political career, Collins has navigated a divided political landscape in Maine. While she has occasionally broken with former President Donald Trump, she has also been a crucial vote on various legislative matters, including the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.</p><p>Jackson’s campaign has criticized Collins for her past support of Trump, despite her public concerns about him. During an October 6 debate, Jackson remarked, "Senator Collins is like an arsonist who helped set the fire, and she wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put it out. She could have stopped it."</p><video id="AinnqNqI" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AinnqNqI/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AinnqNqI.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video>