Along Route 1 in Maine, voters weigh heating costs and Canadian tariffs ahead of Senate race

Along US Route 1 in Maine, voters in rural Aroostook County are weighing the rising cost of heating oil and gas alongside the effects of Canadian tariffs as they look ahead to a closely watched Senate race.

The county holds a notable place in the contest: it is home to both Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson, putting the rural, northernmost part of the state squarely in the spotlight of the campaign.

Pocketbook concerns take center stage

For many residents, the race is less about party labels than about immediate economic pressures. Heating costs are a particularly acute concern in a region known for long, harsh winters, and tariffs affecting trade with neighboring Canada have added another layer of economic uncertainty for local households and businesses.

With the race drawing national attention, how Aroostook County's voters balance these local economic concerns against broader political considerations could prove significant in a contest expected to be closely fought.