Changes

At the first Senate debate hosted by Bangor Daily News, News Center Maine, and the Portland Press Herald and held on September 11, 2020, the 19th anniversary of the [[9/11|tragic event]], Sen. Collins, state House speaker Gideon, and [[independent voters|independent]] candidates Max Linn and Lisa Savage debated over several key issues for around one hour;<ref>[https://bangordailynews.com/2020/09/11/politics/susan-collins-and-sara-gideon-clash-over-health-care-and-trump-in-first-us-senate-debate/ Susan Collins and Sara Gideon clash over health care and Trump in first US Senate debate]</ref> Collins managed to stump Gideon near the end by asking the latter whether she would have voted to confirm [[John Roberts]] to the Supreme Court after facing criticism over her vote to confirm [[Brett Kavanaugh]].<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/09/14/watch-sen-collins-schools-gideon-with-one-question-n2576153 Watch: Sen. Collins Schools Democrat Challenger With One Key Question]</ref>

At the first Senate debate hosted by Bangor Daily News, News Center Maine, and the Portland Press Herald and held on September 11, 2020, the 19th anniversary of the [[9/11|tragic event]], Sen. Collins, state House speaker Gideon, and [[independent voters|independent]] candidates Max Linn and Lisa Savage debated over several key issues for around one hour;<ref>[https://bangordailynews.com/2020/09/11/politics/susan-collins-and-sara-gideon-clash-over-health-care-and-trump-in-first-us-senate-debate/ Susan Collins and Sara Gideon clash over health care and Trump in first US Senate debate]</ref> Collins managed to stump Gideon near the end by asking the latter whether she would have voted to confirm [[John Roberts]] to the Supreme Court after facing criticism over her vote to confirm [[Brett Kavanaugh]].<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/09/14/watch-sen-collins-schools-gideon-with-one-question-n2576153 Watch: Sen. Collins Schools Democrat Challenger With One Key Question]</ref>

===North Carolina===

===North Carolina===

[[Thom Tillis]], a Feinstein gun control bill-backing<ref>[https://www.secondamendmentdaily.com/2017/11/heres-list-mcconnell-9-republicans-support-feinstein-gun-control/ Here’s The List: McConnell, 9 Republicans Support Feinstein Gun Control]</ref> [[RINO]] who opposed Donald Trump's firing of an impeachment "witness" out of fear of "looking bad",<ref>[https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/2/10/21128051/trump-fires-witnesses-sondland-vindman-graham-collins Trump firing of impeachment witnesses causes concern among some Republicans]</ref> is running for re-election in swing state North Carolina that may be a pure tossup in the general election. Tillis' approval rating was reported in July 2019 to be a mere 33% statewide,<ref>[https://sandysmithnc.com/2019/07/19/poll-thom-tillis-approval-rating-lowest-in-the-u-s-senate/ POLL: THOM TILLIS APPROVAL RATING LOWEST IN THE U.S. SENATE]</ref> and polling in January 2020 found that he was trailing a potential Democrat opponent by 2%.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000016f-cac3-d4c8-ad7f-ebf73a070000 PDF File]</ref>

[[Thom Tillis]], a Feinstein gun control bill-backing<ref>[https://www.secondamendmentdaily.com/2017/11/heres-list-mcconnell-9-republicans-support-feinstein-gun-control/ Here’s The List: McConnell, 9 Republicans Support Feinstein Gun Control]</ref> [[RINO]] who opposed Donald Trump's firing of an impeachment "witness" out of fear of "looking bad",<ref>[https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/2/10/21128051/trump-fires-witnesses-sondland-vindman-graham-collins Trump firing of impeachment witnesses causes concern among some Republicans]</ref> is running for re-election in swing state North Carolina that may be a pure tossup in the general election. Tillis' approval rating was reported in July 2019 to be a mere 33% statewide,<ref>[https://sandysmithnc.com/2019/07/19/poll-thom-tillis-approval-rating-lowest-in-the-u-s-senate/ POLL: THOM TILLIS APPROVAL RATING LOWEST IN THE U.S. SENATE]</ref> and polling in January 2020 found that he was trailing a potential Democrat opponent by 2%.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000016f-cac3-d4c8-ad7f-ebf73a070000 PDF File]</ref>

====NC Republican primary====

====NC Republican primary====

Tillis, with his [[RINO]] record, was initially facing a primary challenged by conservative, pro-Trump [[Sandy Smith]].<ref>[https://politicselections.com/pro-trump-republican-sandy-smith-announces-senatorial-run/ Pro-Trump Republican Sandy Smith Announces Senatorial Run]</ref> However, Smith later changed course and decided to run for North Carolina's 1st congressional district instead.<ref>[https://sandysmithnc.com/ Join Sandy - Sandy Smith for Congress]</ref>

Tillis, with his [[RINO]] record, was initially facing a primary challenged by conservative, pro-Trump [[Sandy Smith]].<ref>[https://politicselections.com/pro-trump-republican-sandy-smith-announces-senatorial-run/ Pro-Trump Republican Sandy Smith Announces Senatorial Run]</ref> However, Smith later changed course and decided to run for North Carolina's 1st congressional district instead.<ref>[https://sandysmithnc.com/ Join Sandy - Sandy Smith for Congress]</ref>