Red Paint and 'Blood on Her Hands' Mark Second Vandalism Incident at Collins' Maine Office

Key points

• Vandals dumped red paint and wrote 'BLOOD on her HANDS' on the sidewalk outside Collins' Biddeford office on Monday night.
• This is the second vandalism incident in a month; in September, 'Trump whore' was spray-painted on the office door.
• Collins' chief of staff, Katie Brown, stated the tactics are 'disturbing, but not effective' and that staff remain undeterred.
• Democratic challenger Troy Jackson condemned the act, stating there is 'no place for this in Maine.'
• The office is located near the site of a July ICE-involved shooting that previously drew protesters to the location.
• Biddeford police are investigating the incident, which occurred just hours before polls opened for the U.S. Senate race.

Background

The vandalism occurs during a highly contested U.S. Senate race in Maine between incumbent Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. Recent polls show Jackson leading by 2 to 9 points, making the race critical for Senate control. The contest may not yield an immediate winner on Election Day due to Maine's ranked-choice voting system, potentially delaying results until November 13. The race is viewed as a referendum on President Trump, with voters weighing Collins' federal funding record against Jackson's anti-administration stance amid rising economic costs.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and WGME reported that the vandalism involved red paint and the phrase 'BLOOD on her HANDS,' with Fox News noting the paint may have splattered on the doors. WGME confirmed no one entered the building. WABI reported the incident happened overnight Monday into Election Day. All sources cited Collins' chief of staff, Katie Brown, who characterized the acts as intimidation tactics that are not effective. Fox News and WGME noted the office's proximity to the site of a July ICE officer-involved shooting, which had previously drawn protesters. Fox News highlighted that Jackson condemned the vandalism, while WGME and WABI focused on the police investigation and the timing relative to the election. Politico did not cover this specific incident, focusing instead on broader midterm trends and ballot measures.

Why it matters

The vandalism highlights the intense polarization and physical intimidation tactics being employed in the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Maine. As the race is too close to call on Election Day and may require ranked-choice voting, such incidents could influence voter sentiment or disrupt campaign operations in the final hours before voting. The timing, just before polls open, underscores the high stakes and emotional volatility surrounding Collins' bid for a sixth term against a strong Democratic challenger in a state that previously voted for the opposing party's presidential candidate.

What to watch

Biddeford police will continue their investigation into the Monday night vandalism. The U.S. Senate race in Maine will proceed with voting on Election Day, with results potentially delayed until November 13 if the margin is too close to determine a winner under ranked-choice voting rules. Collins and Jackson will likely continue their campaigns, with Jackson's condemnation of the vandalism potentially influencing undecided voters. The outcome of this race is critical for determining which party controls the U.S. Senate in the next Congress.